PubMed · 2000 · 157 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesImmunologyOncologyAutoimmunityImmunoregulationInflammationCytokine BiologyCytokines In Tumor ImmunityImmune Cell SignalingInflammation In Infectious DiseaseInflammatory Cell ResponsesInflammatory SignalingCytokine Receptor ExpressionImmune Cell CytotoxicityImmunoregulatory SignalingInterleukin-18 ProcessingInterleukin-18 SignalingPro-inflammatory Mediator ProductionT Cell CytotoxicityT Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity
IL-18, originally identified as interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), is related to the IL-1 family in terms of its structure, processing, receptor, signal transduction pathway and pro-inflammatory properties. IL-18 is also functionally related to IL-12, as it induces the production of Th1 cytokines and participates in cell-mediated immune cytotoxicity. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of IL-18 structure, processing, receptor expression and immunoregulatory functions, and focuses on the role of IL-18 modulation in tumours, infections, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.