developmental stage:Expressed by newborns dendritic cells.,function:Associates with IL12B to form the IL-23 interleukin, an heterodimeric cytokine which functions in innate and adaptive immunity. IL-23 may constitute with IL-17 an acute response to infection in peripheral tissues. IL-23 binds to an heterodimeric receptor complex composed of IL12RB1 and IL23R, activates the Jak-Stat signaling cascade, stimulates memory rather than naive T-cells and promotes production of proinflammatory cytokines. IL-23 induces autoimmune inflammation and thus may be responsible for autoimmune inflammatory diseases and may be important for tumorigenesis.,induction:Up-regulated by a wide array of pathogens and pathogen-products together with self-signals for danger or injury. Up-regulated in psoriatic dermal tissues, in dendritic cells of multiple sclerosis patients and in tumors.,similarity:Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.,subcellular location:Secreted upon association with IL12B.,subunit:Heterodimer with IL12B; disulfide-linked. The heterodimer is known as interleukin IL-23.,tissue specificity:Secreted by activated dendritic and phagocytic cells and keratinocytes. Also expressed by dermal Langerhans cells (at protein level).,