title: Interleukin-18: biological properties and clinical implications.
abstract: IL-18, originally identified as interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), is related to the IL-1 family in terms of its structure, processing, receptor, signal transduction pathway and pro-inflammatory properties. IL-18 is also functionally related to IL-12, as it induces the production of Th1 cytokines and participates in cell-mediated immune cytotoxicity. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of IL-18 structure, processing, receptor expression and immunoregulatory functions, and focuses on the role of IL-18 modulation in tumours, infections, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Luti/Laboratoire de Recherche Chirurgicale, Bât. Gustave-Roussy, 3e étage, Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg-St-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France. sophie.lebel-binay@cochin.univ-paris5.fr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lebel-Binay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zinzindohoué
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cugnenc
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thiounn
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Fridman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pagès
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000502:physiology*; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C508572:IL18R1 protein, human; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18