The role of interleukin-1 in host responses to infectious diseases.
The polypeptide cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) affects nearly every tissue and organ system. IL-1 is the prototype of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in that it induces the expression of a variety of genes and synthesis of several proteins which, in turn, induce acute and chronic inflammatory changes. Most studies on the biology of IL-1 have been carried out in animals, but human subjects have recently been injected with recombinant IL-1 and the results confirm IL-1 as being a mediator of disease as well as host defense. However, overproduction of IL-1 leads to debilitation of normal host functions; therefore, reduction of IL-1 synthesis or blockade of IL-1 activity becomes a target of therapy in many diseases. Agents for reducing the synthesis or antagonizing the effects of IL-1 have been sought, but the naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has opened new experimental and clinical approaches. The ability of IL-1Ra to block IL-1 receptors without agonist activities has reduced the severity of diseases such as septic shock, lethal sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, experimental arthritis, and the spontaneous proliferation of human leukemic cells.
Dinarello
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CA
Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000276:immunology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology
C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins