title: [Interleukin-18 and new drugs. Protective effect against tumor growth and infections].
abstract: IL-18, originally identified as interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), is related to the IL-1 family in terms of its structure as well as its 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. A summary is made of recent advances in the understanding of IL-18 structure, processing, receptor expression and immunoregulatory functions. It focuses on the role of IL-18 modulation in tumours, infections and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
authors: Reumatologiska kliniken, Universitetssjukhuset i Lund. frank.wollheim@reum.lu.se
authors: F A
authors: FA
authors: Wollheim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020382:Interleukin-18; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin