From the Research
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-18 (IL-18) Role in Inflammation
- IL-1β and IL-18 are cytokines that play a significant role in inflammatory processes, including autoinflammatory disorders and aging-related inflammation 1, 2.
- These cytokines are produced in response to the activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome, which assembles in response to bacterial invasion, leading to pyroptosis-mediated cell death and the production of IL-1β and IL-18 1.
Bone Marrow Inflammation
- Deletion of the Il1b gene in Nlrc4-transgenic mice ameliorated but did not eliminate bone marrow hyperplasia, suggesting that IL-1β plays a role in bone marrow inflammation 1.
- In contrast, mice deficient in Il18 showed no bone marrow hyperplasia, indicating that IL-18 may not be directly involved in bone marrow inflammation 1.
- Other studies have shown that inflammatory diseases are linked to enhanced bone loss, and that proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, regulate bone formation and resorption, altering bone homeostasis 3.
Therapeutic Potential of Targeting IL-1β and IL-18
- Blocking IL-1 activity has been shown to be beneficial in reducing disease severity in various inflammatory syndromes, including heart failure and gout arthritis 4.
- Biological agents that target IL-1 have demonstrated efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and further agents targeting IL-1 or IL-18 neutralization are in clinical development 5.
- The potential for such agents spans human disease where tissue destruction is a primary endpoint of cytokine action, including bone marrow inflammation 5.