title: Interleukin-18: a therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis?
abstract: Interleukin 18 (IL-18), a member of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines has been demonstrated to be an important mediator of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Several reports have implicated its role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although biologic therapy is firmly established in the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases including RA, partial and non-responder patients constitute residual unmet clinical need. The aim of this article is to briefly review the biology of, and experimental approaches to IL-18 neutralisation, together with speculation as to the relative merits of IL-18 as an alternative to existing targets.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, UK. i.b.mcinnes@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Iain B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.forename: Foo Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: J Alastair
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gracie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000633:toxicity; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007378:Interleukins