Mouse IL-12p40 Expressing Cell Line

The subject invention is a recombinant human 293T cell line that expresses mouse IL-12p40 protein to high levels. IL-12p40 is a subunit of both Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23; however, it can also be expressed as a monomer (IL-12p40) and as a homodimer (IL-12p80). IL-12p40 is produced mainly by antigen presenting cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, microglia, and dendritic cells in response to pathogens or inflammatory agents. It is an immunostimulatory messenger molecule that can disseminate in the body and signal the presence of a pathogen. The role of IL-12p40 is still being elucidated. This cell line produces and secretes mouse IL-12p40 proteins that have post-translational modifications similar to native IL-12p40 protein, overcoming an issue that is seen with IL-12p40 protein expressed in bacterial, insect, or hamster cells.