Role of IL-12 in macrophage activation during intracellular infection: IL-12 and mycobacteria synergistically release TNF-α and nitric oxide from macrophages via IFN-γ induction

IL-12 is believed to play an important role in cell-mediated immunity against intracellular infection primarily by acting on T and NK cells. Recent evidence has suggested, however, that IL-12 has broader cellular targets than previously thought. In this study, we examined the role of IL-12 in macrophage TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) release by using an in vitro model of intracellular infection. IL-12 alone released relatively little TNF-alpha …