Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 cytokine family, due to its structure, receptor family and signal transduction pathways. Similarly to IL-1β, IL-18 is synthesized as a precursor requiring caspase-1 for cleavage into an active IL-18 molecule. However, with regard to its capacity to induce the production of Th1 cytokines and to enhance cell-mediated cytotoxicity, IL-18 is also related to IL-12. Produced mainly by antigen-presenting cells, IL-18 is a pleiotropic factor involved in the regulation of both innate and acquired immune responses, playing a key role in autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of IL-18 structure, processing, receptor expression, and immunoregulatory functions and emphasizes the critical role of this cytokine in bacterial infections. It focuses on the participation of this cytokine in the defense against intracellular bacteria, including Listeria, Shigella, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Since this cytokine may be particularly useful in immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic interventions in which the cellular response is most desirable, the potential therapeutic aspects of IL-18 is also discussed.
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Similar content being viewed by others Explore related subjectsDiscover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. Author information Authors and AffiliationsLaboratoire de Microbiologie Génétique et Moléculaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U447, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 rue du Professeur Calmette, 59021 Lille, France
Franck Biet, Camille Locht & Laurent Kremer
Electronic Publication
About this article Cite this articleBiet, F., Locht, C. & Kremer, L. Immunoregulatory functions of interleukin 18 and its role in defense against bacterial pathogens. J Mol Med 80, 147–162 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-001-0307-1
Received: 23 July 2001
Accepted: 05 October 2001
Published: 08 December 2001
Issue Date: March 2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-001-0307-1
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