白介素10对实验性急性坏死性胰腺炎胰腺缺血的影响

目的通过建立大鼠急性胰腺炎(acute necrotizing pancreatitis,ANP)模型,探讨白介素10(IL-10)对急性坏死性胰腺炎胰腺缺血的影响,进一步探讨ANP的发病机制,观察IL-10对ANP的治疗作用。方法将92只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(C组)、ANP模型组(A组)、IL-10干预组(I组)。C组接受生理盐水对照;A组用大剂量腹腔注射左旋精氨酸(L-Arginine)的方法诱导ANP模型;Ⅰ组在诱导ANP模型后应用IL-10后干预。分别观察各组光镜下病理评分、血清淀粉酶、白介素1β(IL-1β)、血栓素A2(TXA2)、前列环素(PGI2)的稳定代谢产物浓度TXB2和6-keto-PGF1α浓度变化。结果A组的病理评分、血清淀粉酶、IL-1β、TXB2、6-keto-PGF1α浓度在4、12、24、48时点都明显升高,与C组对比皆有显著差异(P<0.05);应用IL-10干预后的Ⅰ级组大鼠胰腺损伤较轻。结论胰腺缺血是急性坏死胰腺炎的损害因素之一,IL-10可以通过细胞因子网络改善胰腺缺血,对ANP有一定的治疗作用。     

血必净对急性胰腺炎大鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6浓度的影响

目的:检测血必净治疗前、后急性胰腺炎(acute pancreatitis,AP)大鼠血清细胞肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-1β和IL-6浓度变化、胰腺组织损伤的关系,以探讨血必净缓解AP大鼠炎症反应的可能机制.方法:♂SD大鼠90只分为对照组(A组,n=30),AP组(B组,n=30)和血必净治疗组(C组,n=30);腹腔注射L-精氨酸制造AP大鼠模型,观察模型成功制作后6、12及24h各组大鼠血清细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6浓度变化,采用酶联免疫吸附剂测定(ELISA)法测定血清细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的浓度.胰腺组织病理变化并对胰腺组织损伤进行评分.结果:与A组比较,B组大鼠6、12及24h血清TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6浓度升高,各时间点差异有统计学意义(TNF-α:6h:t=17.72,P=0.00;12h:t=11.19,P=0.00;24h:t=13.70,P=0.00;IL-1β:6h:t=9.61,P=0.00;12h:t=8.69,P=0.00;24h:t=8.08,P=0.00.IL-6:6h:t=29.18,P=0.00;12h:t=18.59,P=0.00;24h:t=17.14,P=0.00).B组大鼠6h、12h及24h胰腺病理评分明显升高,各时间点差异有统计学意义(6h:t=17.23,P=0.00;12h:t=18.72,P=0.00;24h:t=16.08,P=0.00).与B组比较,血必净注射液可明显降低C组大鼠12、24h血清TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6浓度,12、24h组间差异有统计学意义(TNF-α:12h:t=7.56,P=0.001;24h:t=7.30,P=0.00.IL-1β:12h:t=8.76,P=0.00;24h:t=8.07,P=0.00.IL-6:12h:t=7.82,P=0.00;24h:t=6.72,P=0.00);并且明显降低C组24h大鼠胰腺病理评分分值,24h点组间差异有统计学意义(24h:t=2.79,P=0.015).结论:血必净在早期能够降低AP大鼠血清细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的浓度.通过抑制炎症反应来改善胰腺组织病理损伤,这可能是血必净治疗AP的作用机制之一.     

血清IL-2、IL-10及肠黏膜Fas在重症急性胰腺炎大鼠中的动态变化

目的:探讨重症急性胰腺炎大鼠血清IL-2、IL-10、sFas及IL-2/IL-10动态变化以及Fas在肠黏膜的表达及意义.方法:将SD大鼠64只,随机分为对照组和胰腺炎组.经大鼠胰腺被膜下均匀注射50 g/L牛磺胆酸钠制作重症急性胰腺炎模型,对照组仅胰腺被膜下注射等量生理盐水.通过肠系膜上静脉取血测定血清IL-2、IL-10和sFas水平,并计算IL-2/IL-10比值.分别对胰腺损伤、肠损伤程度进行病理评分.免疫组化方法检测大鼠肠组织内Fas蛋白的表达水平.结果:0.5 h后血清IL-2水平胰腺组较对照组明显升高(3.53±0.62 ng/L vs 2.79±0.51 ng/L,4_35±1.11 ng/L vs 2.93±0.89 ng/L,6.94±1.55 ng/L vs 4.81±1.23 ng/L,4.80±1.10 ng/L vs 3.41±0.72 ng/L,P<0.01),并于6 h达到最高点.胰腺炎组6 h后血清IL-10水平较对照组明显升高(494.98±11.23 ng/L vs 89.18±32.52 ng/L,93.28±25.81 ng/L vs 77.15±22.60 ng/L,P<0.01)。12 h血清IL-10水平较6 h降低.胰腺炎组的IL-2/IL-10先降低后升高,0.5 h后即开始下降,6 h时达到最低点然后开始升高,显著低于对照组(P<0.01),12 h接近对照组.与对照组比较,胰腺炎组各时相胰腺及肠黏膜病理改变明显加重.免疫组化结果显示,在正常的肠黏膜未见明显表达.造模0.5 h后,大鼠肠组织内Fas表达增加,至12 h达最高水平.结论:Fas参与胰腺炎肠损伤的病理过程,其机制可能与其介导的Th细胞凋亡有关.     

急性坏死性胰腺炎大鼠血清消褪素的表达变化及意义

目的观察急性坏死性胰腺炎（ANP）大鼠血清消褪素D1（resolvin D1,RvD1）和白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、IL-10的变化情况,探讨RvD1在急性坏死性胰腺炎发病机制中的作用。方法70只SD大鼠随机分为ANP模型组（n=35）和假手术组（r／=35）。经十二指肠乳头逆行胆胰管注射4％牛磺胆酸钠来制备大鼠ANP模型。大鼠分别于造模后3h、6h、12h、24h、48h处死,测定大鼠血清淀粉酶,光镜下进行胰腺病理学观察及评分,应用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法检测血清RvD1和IL-6、IL-10的变化情况。结果ANP组大鼠血清淀粉酶从造模后3h开始升高,6h达峰值（8244．00±2949．83）u／L,各时点血清淀粉酶显著高于假手术组（P〈0．05）;ANP组胰腺病理损伤及评分于造模后3h～24h随时间延长逐渐加重,24h评分为（11．91±1．312）分,均较假手术组高（P〈0．05）。ANP组血清RvD1水平于造模后3h～24h随时间延长逐渐升高,24h达峰值（39．48±15．28）pg／mL,较假手术组显著升高（P〈0．05）,并与血清IL-6水平呈正相关（r=0．362,P〈0．05）;在造模后6h、12h、24h,ANP组的血清IL-6水平均较假手术组高（P〈0．05）,并随时间延长逐渐升高,于24h达峰值（1293．26±428．12）pg／mL;在造模后3h、24h和48h,ANP组的血清IL-10水平均较假手术组显著升高（P〈0．05）。结论血清Rv的变化可能与急性胰腺炎（AP）严重程度有关,在AP中起抗炎及促进炎性反应消退的作用。     

外源性IL-10对急性坏死性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺及肝组织STAT3表达的影响

目的:探讨外源性人重组白介素10(IL-10)在急性坏死性胰腺炎(ANP)大鼠胰腺及肝组织中对信号转导和转录激活因子3(STAT3)表达的影响.方法:92只健康SD♂大鼠随机分为正常对照组(C组,n=24)、ANP组(A组,n=36)和IL-10后干预组(Ⅰ组,n=32).采用腹腔注射左旋精氨酸(L-arginine)...     

急性坏死性胰腺炎大鼠血清TNF-α、IL-10的动态变化及意义

目的 探讨急性坏死性胰腺炎（ANP）大鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子-a（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）的动态变化及意义。方法 32只SD大鼠制作ANP模型（P组）,32只（C组）于胰腺被膜下注射生理盐水。模型制作后3、6、12、24h分别处死8只大鼠,由肠系膜上静脉取血,检测血清TNF-α和IL-10,同时取胰腺头部组织用于胰腺组织病理评分。结果 P组各时间点的胰腺病理评分均高于C组,P组在制模后12h、24h血清IL-10水平较C组显著增高（P〈0．01）,P组TNF-α／IL-10在3h开始升高,6h达峰值,12h接近C组水平。结论 ANP时大鼠血清TNF-α、IL-10均升高,但TNF-α／IL-10失调;ANP时辅助T淋巴细胞（Th）1向Th2漂移。     

大鼠重症急性胰腺炎发病机制中p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶的作用研究

目的探讨p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK)特异性抑制剂SB203580对大鼠重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)的保护作用。方法以胆胰管逆行注射5%牛磺胆酸钠建立SD大鼠SAP模型。将45只SD大鼠随机分为3组,假手术组(SO组,n=15);SAP组(SAP组,n=15);SB203580治疗组(SB组,n=15)。术后3、6、12 h处死大鼠并取血。对胰腺进行病理组织学评分,测定大鼠腹水量。检测血清淀粉酶,ELISA法测定血清IL-6和IL-10水平。并采用免疫组化法观察大鼠胰腺组织p38 MAPK下游靶点P-ATF2表达情况。结果 SO组胰腺组织存在P-ATF2弱表达,SAP组各时间点P-ATF2表达水平明显升高(P<0.01),SB组各时间点表达水平较SAP组下降明显(P<0.01)。SAP组6、12 h时间点IL-6水平,3、6 h时间点IL-10水平,血清淀粉酶,腹水量明显高于SB组(P<0.05)。SAP组各时间点胰腺组织病理学积分显著高于SB组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论阻断p38 MAPK信号传导通路可以明显缓解大鼠重症急性胰腺炎的病情。预示此信号传导通路可以为SAP的治疗提供一个有价值的标靶。     

褪黑素对大鼠急性坏死性胰腺炎的干预作用及机制

目的: 观察褪黑素前干预对急性坏死性胰腺炎(ANP)大鼠的胰腺和肺组织的保护作用与硫氧还蛋白-1(Trx-1)表达的关系.方法: 72只♂SD大鼠随机分成ANP模型组(A组)、褪黑素前干预组(M组)、对照组(C组). A组的大鼠腹腔注射6%左旋精氨酸(25 mL/kg体质量), 每次间隔1 h, 共3次, 诱发ANP, 且在诱发ANP前、后0.5 h腹腔注射生理盐水(20mL/kg体质量)各1次;M组的大鼠诱发ANP的方法同A组, 但在诱发ANP前0.5 h腹腔注射0.25%褪黑素(20 mL/kg体质量)1次, 替代生理盐水;C组的大鼠腹腔注射相当于A组各次注射用量的等容积生理盐水. 每组术后6 h、12 h及24 h时点分批处置大鼠. 抽血测定Trx-1、白介素-6(IL-6)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)的含量;取胰腺和肺组织做病理学检查.结果: 大鼠胰腺组织的病理变化和病理学评分证实左旋精氨酸导致A组的ANP. 与A组比较, M组胰腺和肺组织的病理损伤显著减轻. 与C组比较, A组的大鼠血清的Tr x-1的量在6 h、12 h时点显著降低, 24 h时点显著升高, 呈现出先降低后升高的趋势;与A组比较,M组的大鼠血清的Trx-1的量在6 h、12 h时点显著增高, 他们表达的峰值前移. 与C组比较,A组的大鼠血清的IL-6、MDA水平显著增高,血清的T-SOD活力、GSH的含量显著降低;与A组比较, M组的大鼠血清的IL-6、MDA水平显著降低, 血清的T-SOD活力、GSH的含量显著增高.结论: ANP可诱导Trx-1的表达;而褪黑素前干预可进一步促进Trx-1的表达, 提高T-SOD活力和GSH水平, 降低IL-6、MDA水平, 故能显著减轻大鼠胰腺和肺组织的病理损伤, 发挥其对胰腺和肺组织的保护作用.     

急性坏死性胰腺炎模型大鼠血清脂联素表达水平及意义

目的观察急性坏死性胰腺炎模型大鼠血清脂联素表达变化及与胰腺损伤程度的相关性在急性坏死性胰腺炎发病中的意义。方法40只雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分为正常对照组(CON组)8只及急性坏死性胰腺炎组(ANP组)32只。CON组剖腹后只翻动十二指肠及胰腺后关腹。ANP组逆行胰胆管内注射1.5%去氧胆酸钠制备ANP模型。术后6、12、24、48 h处死大鼠,观察胰腺组织病理改变并评分,检测血清淀粉酶、脂联素、TNF-α和IL-6水平变化。结果 ANP组大鼠胰腺病理学评分及血清淀粉酶、TNF-α、IL-6水平均较CON组升高(P<0.05),血清脂联素在发病早期下降缓慢,24 h后迅速下降,48 h较24 h显著降低(P<0.01),并与胰腺病理学评分及TNF-α水平呈高度负相关(r=-0.846、-0.789,P<0.05)。结论血清脂联素在ANP发生发展中呈现一定的变化规律,并且与胰腺严重程度呈负相关,可能在ANP的发病机制中起重要作用。     

西维来司钠对大鼠重症急性胰腺炎炎症反应的治疗作用

目的:检测重症急性胰腺炎(severe acute pancreatitis,SAP)大鼠血清中中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶(neutrophil elastase,NE)、白介素-6(interfilon-6,IL-6)的含量及胰腺病理学改变,探讨西维来司钠对大鼠SAP的治疗作用.方法:采用经十二指肠乳头逆行胆胰管注射5%牛磺胆酸钠的方法制备大鼠SAP模型;药物治疗组静脉输入西维来司钠,切取胰腺组织行病理学评分,测定血清中NE、IL-6及淀粉酶的含量.结果:牛黄胆酸钠胰胆管注射可以制作典型的急性胰腺炎模型,其血清淀粉酶升高、胰腺病理损伤符合急性胰腺炎表现.西维来司钠治疗组血清淀粉酶值及NE、IL-6含量较模型组降低,有显著性差异(3h:5636.22±713.57 vs 5835.75±681.52,16.99±3.28 vs 22.93±4.74,181.86±36.56 vs 281.82±30.79;6h:5743.44±624.93 vs 6253.66±533.99,23.63±4.47 vs 31.81±4.69,184.15±28.56 vs 319.39±21.73;12h:7098.93±698....     

DOWN-REGULATION OF FIBRINOGEN BIOSYNTHESIS BY IL-4, IL-10 AND IL-13

High levels of fibrinogen are recognized as an important vascular risk factor; however, it is not known if the increase of plasma fibrinogen is directly responsible for this risk, or is only a marker of vascular inflammation. To support this second hypothesis, Oncostatin M (OSM) is a potent stimulator of fibrinogen biosynthesis and induces smooth muscle cell proliferation. In the same way, we analysed whether interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) or interleukin-13 (IL-13), which protect vessel walls from monocytes injuries leading to atherosclerosis, could influence fibrinogen biosynthesis. The two levels of regulation of fibrinogen biosynthesis were tested: firstly, the direct effect of these cytokines on fibrinogen production by the hepatoma cell line Hep G2, and secondly their effect on the secretion of hepatocyte stimulating factor (HSF) activity in the supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. IL-4 and IL-13 added to Hep G2 cells down-regulated both the increase of fibrinogen secretion induced by IL-6 and fibrinogen mRNA levels, this effect being more pronounced when Hep G2 were preincubated with the two cytokines before IL-6 addition. The effect of IL-10 was evidenced only on mRNA expression. IL-10 and IL-13 dose-dependently decrease HSF activity secreted by LPS-activated monocytes, whereas IL-4 had no effect. However, the three cytokines decreased HSF activity when monocytes were incubated with the cytokines before LPS activation. The effects of these cytokines on HSF activity are related to variations of IL-6 and OSM secretion. Our data strengthen the hypothesis that the fibrinogen level is a marker of vascular disease, since cytokines which have a protective vascular effect down-regulate fibrinogen production.     

Serum IL-4, IL-10 and IL-6 levels in inflammatory arthritis

As the available in vitro and in vivo data suggest that interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 have immunosuppressive activity, our hypothesis was that serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels would correlate inversely with parameters of inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis. IL-4 was detected in the serum of 12 out of 140 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which was increased compared to the proportion found with patients with osteoarthritis (OA; P< 0.02). In addition, IL-4 was detected in the serum of 2 of 19 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 of 24 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 1 of 5 patients with Behçet's syndrome. No IL-4 was detected in patients with the following conditions: OA (58 patients), gout (17 patients), ankylosing spondylitis (6 patients), Reiter's syndrome (6 patients), polymyalgia rheumatica (6 patients), temporal arteritis (5 patients) and scleroderma (3 patients). No IL-10 was detected in any of the sera tested. We discuss the possible relevance of these results to the regulation of the immune response evident in inflammatory arthritis.     

白细胞介素10基因转染对小鼠心脏移植排斥反应中细胞因子表达的影响

目的 :探讨白细胞介素 10 (IL 10 )基因转染对小鼠心脏移植排斥反应中IL 12、IL 15、IL 18和IL 4表达的影响。方法 :采用小鼠颈部心脏移植模型 ,随机分为 3组 :对照组、移植组和IL 10组。于术后第 5天取移植心脏 ,用逆转录聚合酶链式反应 (RT PCR)法观察IL 12、IL 15、IL 18、IL 4及IL 10的表达情况。结果 :移植组IL 12、IL 15、IL 18表达与对照组比较明显升高 ,IL 10、IL 4表达显著降低 (均P <0 .0 1)。IL 10组IL 12、IL 15、IL 18表达与移植组比较明显降低 ,而IL 4及IL 10表达显著升高 (均P <0 .0 1)。结论 :IL 10基因转染抑制心脏移植排斥反应主要与其抑制IL 12、IL 15、IL 18等Th1型细胞因子的表达 ,促进Th2型细胞因子IL 4的表达 ,使免疫反应由Th1型向Th2型偏移有关     

Expression of IL-23 and IL-17 and effect of IL-23 on IL-17 production in ankylosing spondylitis

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of IL-23 and IL-17 and the influence of IL-23 on IL-17 production in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. IL-23 and IL-17 levels in the serum and supernatants of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined by ELISA. IL-23p19 mRNA expression in PBMCs were analyzed using RT-PCR. The patients with AS at active stage showed elevated levels of IL-23 and IL-17 in the serum and supernatants of cultured PBMCs. A higher expression of IL-23p19 mRNA in PBMCs of AS patients was also observed. A significantly enhanced production of IL-17 in the supernatants of cultured PBMCs was found in the presence of recombinant IL-23 and this effect was more significant in patients with AS. The results suggest that IL-23 and IL-17 may play critical roles in the pathogenesis of AS and IL-23-stimulated production of IL-17 by PBMCs may be responsible for the development of AS.     

IL-12及IL-10在桥本甲状腺炎发病机制中作用的研究进展

桥本甲状腺炎是一种常见的慢性自身免疫性疾病,表现为辅助性T细胞(Th)1占优势。 Th1类细胞因子白细胞介素(IL)-12表达增加,在该病的诱发及慢性迁延中起重要作用,Th2类细胞因子IL-10表达的下调也与该病有关,且随病情变化二者表达水平有所不同。因此,这些细胞因子可作为病情变化的监测指标,并且可通过调节细胞因子的表达水平从而使失衡的Th1／Th2细胞趋于平衡。这可能为桥本甲状腺炎的治疗开拓一条新途径。     

A complex of the IL-1 homologue IL-1F7b and IL-18-binding protein reduces IL-18 activity

IL-1F7 was discovered in expressed sequence tag databases as a member of the increasing family of proteins sharing sequence homology to IL-1alpha/beta, IL-1Ra, and IL-18. In the present study using immunohistochemical staining, IL-1F7 was localized in human peripheral monocytic cells, suggesting its role in immune regulation. Recombinant human IL-1F7b was shown to bind to the IL-18Ralpha but without IL-18 agonistic or antagonistic function. Using chemical cross-linking, we observed that, unlike IL-18, IL-1F7b fails to recruit the IL-18Rbeta chain to form a functionally active, ternary complex with the IL-18Ralpha chain. IL-1F7b shares two conserved amino acids with IL-18 (Glu-35 and Lys-124), which participate in the interaction of IL-18 with the IL-18Ralpha chain as well as the IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP), a secreted protein that neutralizes IL-18 activity. In testing whether IL-1F7b interacts with IL-18BP, we unexpectedly observed that IL-1F7b enhanced the ability of IL-18BP to inhibit IL-18-induced IFNgamma by 25-30% in a human natural killer cell line. This effect was observed primarily at limiting concentrations of IL-18BP (3.12-12.5 ng/ml) and at a 50- to 100-fold molar excess of IL-1F7b. Similar results were obtained by using isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. To study the molecular basis of this effect we performed binding studies of IL-1F7b and IL-18BP. After cross-linking, a high molecular weight complex consisting of IL-1F7b and IL-18BP was observed on SDS/PAGE. We propose that after binding to IL-18BP, IL-1F7b forms a complex with IL-18Rbeta, depriving the beta-chain of forming a functional receptor complex with IL-18Ralpha and thus inhibiting IL-18 activity.     

Prognostic values of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in acute pancreatitis

GOALS: The prognostic importance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 in the prediction of acute pancreatitis severity. BACKGROUND: Early assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis could help the patients who are at risk of developing complications. Unfortunately, the used prognostic scoring systems generally are only moderately accurate in assessing disease severity. STUDY: We studied 117 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital during the past 2 years. Laboratory parameters and cytokines were analyzed from serum taken routinely on admission. Severity criteria were noted for each patient using Ranson, Glasgow, and APACHE II scoring systems. Local and systemic complications, developed during a follow-up period, were classified by Atlanta criteria. RESULTS: IL-6 was the only parameter that statistically significantly predicted complicated acute pancreatitis (P<0.05). IL-8 and IL-10 and the 3 prognostic scoring systems used did not properly assess complicated versus noncomplicated acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective study supported the potential importance of IL-6 in the early assessment of complicated acute pancreatitis, but also suggested that pancreatitis classified as complicated in a large number of patients could not be correctly predicted with the Ranson, Glasgow, and APACHE II scoring systems.     

低氧条件下 IL-6、IL-8、IL-10作用机制研究进展

低氧(hypoxia)是机体循环血液中氧分压较低的状态,缺氧则引发机体的一系列反应。随着研究的深入,发现机体内不但存在氧化应激反应,还伴随着一系列炎症反应,IL-6、IL-8、IL-10作为常见的炎症因子也成为研究热点,本文就低氧条件下三种 IL 的作用机制作一总结,为低氧造成的机体损伤提供更多理论依据,为低氧损伤的预防及治疗提供新靶点。     

Whole Tumor Cell Vaccine Adjuvants: Comparing IL-12 to IL-2 and IL-15

Cancer immunotherapy (passive or active) involves treatments which promote the ability of the immune system to fight tumor cells. Several types of immunotherapeutic agents, such as monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, non-specific immunomodulatory agents, and cancer vaccines are currently under intensive investigation in preclinical and clinical trials. Cancer vaccines induce permanent activation of the immune system and may be considered the most promising method for cancer treatment, especially in combination with other agents of passive immunotherapy. Among various approaches to cancer vaccines, whole tumor cell vaccines have been attracting attention for several years. Despite their low to moderate clinical effects, these vaccines have numerous advantages. Their ability to generate immune responses against tumor-associated antigens reduces the possibility for tumor cells to escape and facilitates the development of “off-the-shelf” allogeneic tumor vaccines. Understanding the reciprocal interactions between tumor cells and leukocytes is a key to harness the full potential of whole cell vaccination. Cytokines are considered as potent immunomodulatory molecules which behave as adjuvants in whole tumor cell vaccines. Improved mechanistic understanding of key cytokines in tumor immunity will serve as a resource for rational design of whole cell cancer vaccines. Although there are several reports about the use of different immunostimulatory cytokines as adjuvants, interleukin (IL)-12 appears to have superior effects compared to other cytokines. This review describes the effects of IL-12 compared to other immunomodulatory cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-15, and highlights its application in whole cell tumor vaccination.