title: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: discovery, structure and properties.
abstract: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is a recently-described member of the IL-1 family. This unique human protein has 30% amino acid sequence homology to IL-1 beta and binds to human types I and II IL-1 receptors without apparent cellular activation. IL-1ra blocks the in vitro stimulatory effects of IL-1 on thymocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and bone cells. In addition, IL-1ra is a potent inhibitor of the inflammatory effects of IL-1 in vivo. IL-1ra represents the first naturally-occurring cytokine inhibitor and may be important in modulating IL-1 effects in both normal and abnormal physiology.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
authors: W P
authors: WP
authors: Arend
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins
chemical_list: C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011506:Proteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins