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 involved in several pathways and played different roles in them. We selected most pathways IL18 participated on our site, such as Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, which may be useful for your reference. Also, other proteins which involved in the same pathway with IL18 were listed below. Creative BioMart supplied nearly all the proteins listed, you can search them on our site.
IL18 has several biochemical functions, for example, cytokine activity, protein binding. Some of the functions are cooperated with other proteins, some of the functions could acted by IL18 itself. We selected most functions IL18 had, and list some proteins which have the same functions with IL18. You can find most of the proteins on our site.
IL18 has direct interactions with proteins and molecules. Those interactions were detected by several methods such as yeast two hybrid, co-IP, pull-down and so on. We selected proteins and molecules interacted with IL18 here. Most of them are supplied by our site. Hope this information will be useful for your research of IL18.
IL18R1; CASK; Cul1
Chen, GL; Fu, PF; et al. Immune Responses of Piglets Immunized by a Recombinant Plasmid Containing Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Porcine Interleukin-18 Genes. VIRAL IMMUNOLOGY 27:521-528(2014).
Ovsyannikova, IG; Pankratz, VS; et al. HLA alleles associated with the adaptive immune response to smallpox vaccine: a replication study. HUMAN GENETICS 133:1083-1092(2014).
