title: Biological agents targeting interleukin-18.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-18 is an important regulator of both innate and acquired immune responses. It is upregulated in several human autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and, therefore, might represent a novel therapeutic target. This review highlights the biology of IL-18, its central role in inflammation and immune response, as well as provides evidence for the involvement of IL-18 in selected chronic inflammatory diseases. After that, the authors discuss various therapeutic strategies of IL-18 blockade in clinical and preclinical models, particularly the inhibition of IL-18 secretion, IL-18 binding protein, anti-IL-18 monoclonal antibodies and soluble IL-18 receptor.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, HR-10000, Croatia. marija.jelusic@inet.hr
authors: Marija
authors: M
authors: Jelusic
authors: Ivan Kresimir
authors: IK
authors: Lukic
authors: Drago
authors: D
authors: Batinic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D020382:Interleukin-18