Regulation of IL-18 expression in virus infection.
Since its discovery as an interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducing factor, it has become evident that interleukin (IL)-18 plays a crucial role in the generation of protective immunity against microbial infections. Macrophages are the major source of biologically active IL-18, and they express constitutively IL-18 mRNA and proIL-18 protein. Microbial infections enhance the IL-18 gene expression in macrophages but post-translational processing of proIL-18, rather than transcriptional activation, is predominant in the regulation of IL-18 secretion. This review summarizes the current knowledge of proinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of IL-18, and focuses on the role of caspases in the proteolytic activation of IL-18 in response to virus infection.
Pirhonen
J
J
Department of Virology, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. jaana.pirhonen@ktl.fi
D000818:Animals; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007372:Interferons; D020169:Caspases