Additional info: |
Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a name for a family of proteins which includes IL-1(alpha), IL-1(beta), ILra (Interleukin receptor antagonist) and IL-18. IL-1(beta) is synthesized as 269 amino acid pro-cytokine that is enzymatically cleaved by IL-1(beta)-converting enzyme (ICE) into the active 154 amino acid, 17 kDa peptide mature peptide. IL-1(beta) is produced by many cell types including macrophages, monocytes, astrocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, keratinocytes, adipocytes, T cells, and eosinophils. Although IL-1(alpha) and IL-1(beta) exhibit only 26% amino acid identity, they bind to the same cell-surface receptors, IL-1 RI and IL-1 RII, present on a variety of cell types involved in immune or inflammatory responses. Normal production of IL-1 is critical for mediating host responses to infection and injury. Disease states in which IL-1 actively participates include inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and shock, as well as arteriosclerosis, allergic disease, and some types of cancer. |