Editorial: IL-1 Family Members in Health and Disease

Abstract

In 1985, two distinct cDNAs encoding proteins sharing human Interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity were described, thus defining the first two members of the IL-1 family—IL-1α and IL-1β. These potent pro-inflammatory cytokines have been the subject of much research in the area of fever and inflammation, as well as for their roles in a myriad of inflammatory associated diseases. Over the years the family expanded to include cytokines with both pro- and anti- inflammatory properties, including IL-18, IL-33, IL-36, IL-37, IL-38, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and IL-36Ra. In addition to the 11 identified cytokine members of this family, there are now multiple discrete receptor family members, that form 4 functional receptor complexes able to activate downstream signaling cascades, as well as several decoy and inhibitory receptors.