IL-12B p40 Inhibitors

IL-12B p40 inhibitors belong to a specific class of chemical compounds designed to target and modulate the activity of the interleukin-12 subunit p40. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine, a small protein molecule that plays a critical role in the immune system's regulation and response to infections and inflammatory processes. IL-12 consists of two subunits, p35 and p40, which combine to form the biologically active IL-12 molecule. The p40 subunit is shared with another cytokine called IL-23, which also plays a crucial role in immune responses.

IL-12B p40 inhibitors are designed to specifically interfere with the activity of the p40 subunit, preventing its interaction with other molecules in the immune system that initiate pro-inflammatory responses. By inhibiting p40, these compounds can modulate the immune system's functioning, dampening excessive inflammation that can contribute to autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. Researchers have been investigating IL-12B p40 inhibitors to further understand autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease, as these conditions often involve an overactive immune response.