Interleukin-18

Gracie, J.A., Robertson, S.E. and McInnes, I.B. (2003) Interleukin-18. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 73(2), pp. 213-224. (doi: 10.1189/jlb.0602313) (PMID:12554798)

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Abstract

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a recently described member of the IL-1 cytokine superfamily, is now recognized as an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses. IL-18 is expressed at sites of chronic inflammation, in autoimmune diseases, in a variety of cancers, and in the context of numerous infectious diseases. This short review will describe the basic biology of IL-18 and thereafter address its potential effector and regulatory role in several human disease states including autoimmunity and infection. IL-18, previously known as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducing factor, was identified as an endotoxin-induced serum factor that stimulated IFN-gamma production by murine splenocytes [<sup>1</sup> ]. IL-18 was cloned from a murine liver cell cDNA library generated from animals primed with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes and subsequently challenged with lipopolysaccharide [<sup>2</sup> ]. Nucleotide sequencing of murine IL-18 predicted a precursor polypeptide of 192 amino acids lacking a conventional signal peptide and a mature protein of 157 amino acids. Subsequent cloning of human IL-18 cDNA revealed 65% homology with murine IL-18 [<sup>3</sup>] and showed that both contain an unusual leader sequence consisting of 35 amino acids at their N terminus.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McInnes, Professor Iain and Gracie, Professor Alastair
Authors: Gracie, J.A., Robertson, S.E., and McInnes, I.B.
Subjects:Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QP Physiology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Publisher:Society for Leukocyte Biology
ISSN:0741-5400
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2003 by the Society for Leukocyte Biology
First Published:First published in Journal of Leukocyte Biology 73(2):213-224
Publisher Policy:Reproduced with the permission of the publisher

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