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.
Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Dinarello
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