IL18

The protein encoded by this gene is a proinflammatory cytokine that augments natural killer cell activity in spleen cells, and stimulates interferon gamma production in T-helper type I cells. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011] Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an 18-kDa cytokine which identified as a costimulatory factor for production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in response to toxic shock and shares functional similarities with IL-12. IL-18 is synthesized as a precursor 24-kDa molecule without a signal peptide and must be cleaved to produce an active molecule. IL-1 converting enzyme (ICE, Caspase-1) cleaves pro-IL-18 at aspartic acid in the P1 position, producing the mature, bioactive peptide that is readily released from the cells. It is reported that IL-18 is produced from Kupffer cells, activated macrophages, keratinocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, osteoblasts, adrenal cortex cells and murine diencephalon. IFN-γ is produced by activated T or NK cells and plays critical roles in the defense against microbiral pathogens. IFN-γ activates macrophages and enhances NK activity and B cell maturation, proliferation and Ig secretion. IFN-γ also induces expression of MHC class I and II antigens and inhibits osteoclast activation. IL-18 acts on T helper type-1 (Th1) T cells and in combination with IL-12 strongly induces them to produce IFN-γ. Pleiotropic effects of IL-18 have also been reported, such as, enhancement production of IFN-γ and GM-CSF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, production of Th1 cytokines, IL-2, GM-CSF and IFN-γ in T cells, enhancement of Fas ligand expression by Th1 cells.

IL18; interleukin 18; IGIF; IL-18; IL-1g; IL1F4; interleukin-18; IL-1 gamma; iboctadekin; interleukin-1 gamma; IFN-gamma-inducing factor; interleukin 18 (interferon-gamma-inducing factor); interferon-gamma-inducing factor;