title: [Biological properties of interleukin 18].
abstract: IL-18 was first described in 1989 and since its properties have been recognized, an interest in it is constantly growing. IL-18 induces synthesis and release of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukins 8, 4 and 13, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Thus, it modulates the function of many immunocompetent cells: macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Another important feature of IL-18 is its ability to induce apoptosis of many cell types by inducing Fas ligand and Fas receptor, and granzymes. IL-18 seems to be particularly attractive as a highly specific marker of Th1-response and a potential element of complex antitumor therapy. In paper, the processes of synthesis, releasing and biological properties of IL-18 are reviewed, particularly in the aspects of immunomodulatory and antitumor activity.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Gastroenterologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wereszczyńska-Siemiatkowska
authors.forename: Juliusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kosel
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siemiatkowski
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism*; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C508572:IL18R1 protein, human; D020382:Interleukin-18; D053727:Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053724:Receptors, Interleukin-18; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor