[IL-18 and IL-18 receptor].
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a recently cloned cytokine, produced from activated macrophages, including Kupffer cells. IL-18 is originally called interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), due to its action to induce IFN-gamma production from Th 1 cells and NK cells. However, recent studies suggested that, IL-18 also enhances expression of FasL and NK activity as well as GM-CSF production. These data revealed this novel cytokine is pleiotropic. Recently, cDNA encoding human IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) was cloned. And, we had cloned murine IL-18R cDNA by RT-PCR, using human IL-18R sequence. Northern blot analysis of cytoplasmic RNA from T cells stimulated with IL-12 clearly demonstrated that, T cells stimulated with IL-12 induced high level of IL-18R-mRNA, whereas non-stimulated T cells did not have. Interestingly, we had several reports, indicated the involvement of IL-18 on the progressions of pathogenicity in chronic inflammatory diseases, including endotoxin-shock, hepatitis and autoimmune-diabetes. We need further studies to reveal physiological roles of this novel cytokine in various inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.
Laboratory of Host Defenses, Hyogo College of Medicine.
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Kashiwamura
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Okamura
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C508572:IL18R1 protein, human; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor