<p>Interleukins are a group of cytokines that have important roles in cell growth, differentiation, and motility, and in the functioning of the immune system.</p><p>Interleukin-12 (also known as natural killer cell stimulatory factor, and cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor) is a 75 kDa heterodimer composed of two genetically unrelated subunits - an alpha chain (p35 subunit) and a beta chain (p40 subunit). Production of the cytokine plays an important role in the generation of cell-mediated immunity against many infectious pathogens [<cite idref="PUB00043736"/>]. The interluekin-12 beta chain also associates withinterleukin-23 alpha to form interleukin-23 [<cite idref="PUB00013064"/>], a proinflammatory cytokine that is overexpressed in and around tumour tissues, where it induces local inflammation and promotes tumour development [<cite idref="PUB00043737"/>].</p> Interleukin-12 beta chain