Interleukin-18 bioactivity: a novel target for immunopharmacological anti-inflammatory intervention.
Interleukin-18 is a member of the interleukin-1 family of cytokines with pro-inflammatory and tumor-suppressive properties. Its ability to potently enhance the production of interferon-gamma indicates in particular the crucial function of interleukin-18 as an immunomodulatory molecule. In fact, high levels of interleukin-18 are detected in human diseases associated with immunoactivation including viral or bacterial infections and chronic inflammation. Animal models suggest suppression of interleukin-18 bioactivity as a novel therapeutic concept specifically for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis. Here we introduce into the biology of interleukin-18 and review immunopharmacological strategies that aim at reducing interleukin-18 bioactivity in human disease.
Pharmazentrum Frankfurt, University Hospital, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. H.Muehl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Heiko
H
Mühl
Josef
J
Pfeilschifter
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020382:Interleukin-18; C118370:interleukin-18 binding protein; D007371:Interferon-gamma