How microorganisms tip the balance between interleukin-12 family members

Interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) induces T-helper-1-cell responses and IL-23, a related cytokine, is the master switch in several T-cell-mediated inflammatory disorders. IL-27, another member of the IL-12 family, regulates innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, distinct combinations of transcription factors have been shown to regulate the expression of the genes that encode these three cytokines. Toll-like receptor ligands, in association with other microbial products and endogenous mediators, tip the balance between the expression of IL-12 family members and thereby may control the outcome of T-cell-mediated inflammation. On this basis, we present a novel perspective on the pathogenesis and regulation of inflammatory disorders.