title: Interleukin-1 receptor blockade in perinatal brain injury.
abstract: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a potent inflammatory cytokine that can be produced by a variety of cell types throughout the body. While IL-1 is a central mediator of inflammation and response to infection, the role of IL-1 signaling in adult and pediatric brain injury is becoming increasingly clear. Although the mechanisms of IL-1 expression are largely understood, the downstream effects and contributions to excitotoxicity and oxidative stress are poorly defined. Here, we present a review of mechanisms of IL-1 signaling with a focus on the role of IL-1 in perinatal brain injury. We highlight research models of perinatal brain injury and the use of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) as an agent of therapeutic potential in preventing perinatal brain injury due to exposure to inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Kennedy Krieger Institute , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Burd
keywords: IL-1; IL-1beta; Kineret; perinatal brain injury; rIL-RA