Interleukin-23 subunit alpha; Associates with IL12B to form the IL-23 interleukin, a 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 a 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. Here, IL23A is linked to infection.