title: The biological properties of interleukin-1.
abstract: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is primarily an inflammatory cytokine. Biologically, IL-1 is more closely related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) than any other cytokine or interleukin, although the structure and receptors for IL-1 and TNF are clearly distinct. IL-1 is active in the low pM and fM range and IL-1 receptors (IL-1R) are expressed in most cells, although less than 100 receptors per cell is not an uncommon finding. Based on short-term blockade of IL-1 receptors in humans and animals and IL-1 beta knock-out mice, there is no evidence that IL-1 beta plays a role in development, or normal homeostasis such as metabolism, hematopoiesis, renal and hepatic function or regulation of blood pressure. On the other hand, IL-1 alpha is found constitutively produced by various epithelial cells, keratinocytes of the skin and in the brain. In these locations, IL-1 may contribute to cell growth and repair functions. During inflammation, injury, immunological challenge or infection, IL-1 is produced and because of its multiple biological properties, IL-1 must contribute to disease. Most studies on IL-1 are derived from experiments in which humans or animals are injected with IL-1 or IL-1 is added to cells in vitro. The biological properties of IL-1 suggest that its effects often mimic host responses to infection, inflammation, injury or immunologic challenge. Using specific IL-1 blockade, it is clear IL-1 is playing a critical role in some disease processes. This review will focus on IL-1 as a cytokine of primary and strategic importance to the initiation and progression of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dinarello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha