Interleukin-1 beta
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1?) is a member of the interleukin 1 family of cytokines and is primarily involved in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. It is produced by many cells including macrophage, NK cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. IL-1? is involved in regulating cellular activities, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It is produced as an inactive 31 kDa precursor (pro-IL-1?), which is proteolytically processed to its active form by caspase 1. Induction of pro-IL-1? expression is inefficient for the secretion of the cytokine. The biological activities of IL-1? is mediated by binding to type 1 IL-1 receptor. IL-1? is also important for the regulation of adaptive immune responses by inducing the differentiation of type 17 T-helper cells and the production of IL-17. The systemic effects of IL-1? includes hypotension, fever and neutrophilia. While IL-1? is essential for host-response and resistance to pathogens, it also exacerbate damage during chronic disease and acute tissue injury. Serum IL-1? is elevated in patients with heart disease, including atherosclerosis, angina, and myocardial infarction. IL-1? blocking agents have been found to be effective in the treatment of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, diabetes. uveitis, autoimmune thyroid diseases, multiple sclerosis, and myocarditis.
Swiss-Prot Accession Number: P01584
