IL-18

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Ligands
IL-18 (Human)

GtoPdb Ligand ID: 4983

Synonyms: ibocatdekin | interferon-γ-inducing factor | interleukin-1 gamma (IL-1 gamma) | interleukin-18

Compound class: Endogenous peptide in human, mouse or rat

Comment: IL-18 is an IL-1 family cytokine. It acts as a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine, and it is important for host innate and adaptive immune defense against pathogenic infections. Dysregulated IL-18 activity is associated with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, MS and lupus), allergies, and neurological disorders. IL-18 and its signalling partners are protein targets for anti-inflammatory drug development.

Species: Human

Immunopharmacology Comments
Chronic, elevated production of free (mature) IL-18 has been identified as a driver of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a life-threatening systemic inflammatory disorder that occurs in patients with rheumatic disease [2-3]. In particular, MAS is a severe complication in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, for which there are currently limited treatment options [4]. Epithelial NLRC4 inflammasome hyperactivity appears to be the source of the excessively high IL-18 production in MAS. One next generation biologic treatment for MAS is tadekinig alfa, a recombinant human IL-18 binding protein, which is proposed to mop up the free circulating IL-18 to reduce its inflammatory effect on macrophages.

Immunopharmacology Comments

Chronic, elevated production of free (mature) IL-18 has been identified as a driver of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a life-threatening systemic inflammatory disorder that occurs in patients with rheumatic disease [2-3]. In particular, MAS is a severe complication in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, for which there are currently limited treatment options [4]. Epithelial NLRC4 inflammasome hyperactivity appears to be the source of the excessively high IL-18 production in MAS. One next generation biologic treatment for MAS is tadekinig alfa, a recombinant human IL-18 binding protein, which is proposed to mop up the free circulating IL-18 to reduce its inflammatory effect on macrophages.