title: Interleukin-18.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-18 is a newly discovered cytokine, structurally similar to IL-1, with profound effects on T-cell activation. This short review summarizes the present knowledge on IL-18, to give an insight into the future perspectives for its possible use as vaccine adjuvant. Formerly called interferon (IFN) gamma inducing factor (IGIF), IL-18 is the new name of a novel cytokine that plays an important role in the T-cell-helper type 1 (Th1) response, primarily by its ability to induce IFNgamma production in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Mice deficient in IL-18 have suppressed IFNgamma production despite the presence of IL-12 IL-18 is related to the IL-1 family in terms of structure, receptor family, and function. In terms of structure, IL-18 and IL-1beta share primary amino acid sequences of the so-called "signature sequence" motif and are similarly folded as all-beta pleated sheet molecules. Also similar to IL-1beta, IL-18 is synthesized as a biologically inactive precursor molecule lacking a signal peptide which requires cleavage into an active, mature molecule by the intracellular cysteine protease called IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE, also called caspase-1). The activity of mature IL-18 is closely related to that of IL-1. IL-18 induces gene expression and synthesis of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1, Fas ligand, and several chemokines. The activity of IL-18 is via an IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) complex. This IL-18R complex is made up of a binding chain termed IL-18Ralpha, a member of the IL-1 receptor family previously identified as the IL-1 receptor-related protein (IL-1Rrp), and a signaling chain, also a member of the IL-1R family. The IL-18R complex recruits the IL-1R-activating kinase (IRAK) and TNFR-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6) which phosphorylates nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB)-inducing kinase (NIK) with subsequent activation of NFkappaB. Thus on the basis of primary structure, three-dimensional structure, receptor family, signal transduction pathways and biological effects, IL-18 appears to be a new member of the IL-1 family. Similar to IL-1, IL-18 participates in both innate and acquired immunity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, B168, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dinarello
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; C508572:IL18R1 protein, human; C508573:Il18r1 protein, mouse; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma