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Overview of interleukin‐18: more than an interferon‐γ inducing factor
Author(s) -
Dinarello Charles A.,
Novick Daniela,
Puren Adrian J.,
Fantuzzi Giamila,
Shapiro Leland,
Mühl Heiko,
Yoon DoYoung,
Reznikov Leonid L.,
Kim SooHyun,
Rubinstein Menachem
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.63.6.658
Subject(s) - biology , cytokine , common gamma chain , receptor , cytokine receptor , interferon , microbiology and biotechnology , interleukin , chemokine , interferon gamma , interleukin 4 receptor , immunology , interleukin 10 , biochemistry
Abstract Initially described in 1989 as interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) inducing factor (IGIF), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) is a novel proinflammatory cytokine that is clearly more than an inducer of IFN‐γ The cytokine possesses several biological properties such as activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), Fas ligand expression, the induction of both CC and CXC chemokines, and increased production of competent human immunodeficiency virus. Most activities are due to a receptor complex that recruits the IL‐1 receptor‐activating kinase (IRAK), leading to translocation of NF‐κB. This property and others support the concept that IL‐18 is related to the IL‐1 family. Indeed, one of the IL‐18 receptor chains is the IL‐1 receptor‐related protein, a member of the IL‐1R family. In addition, IL‐18 is structurally similar to IL‐1β and like IL‐1β is first synthesized as a leaderless precursor requiring the IL‐1β converting enzyme for cleavage into an active molecule. The biology of IL‐18 is reviewed in the overview and the implication for a role for this cytokine in disease is presented. J. Leukoc. Biol . 63: 658–664; 1998.