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Related Experiment Videos

Interleukin-18 regulates both Th1 and Th2 responses.

K Nakanishi1, T Yoshimoto, H Tsutsui

  • 1Department of Immunology and Medical Zoology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan. nakaken@hyo-med.ac.jp

Annual Review of Immunology
|March 13, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that enhances Th1 immune responses but can also promote Th2 responses and allergic inflammation. Its diverse functions are complex and context-dependent.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cytokine Biology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Interleukin-18 (IL-18) shares structural homology with IL-1 and its receptor with the IL-1R/Toll-like receptor (TLR) superfamily.
  • IL-18 is produced by both immune and non-immune cells, indicating widespread biological relevance.
  • While often collaborating with IL-12 to drive Th1 responses critical for host defense, IL-18's role is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of Interleukin-18 (IL-18) in immune responses.
  • To investigate the dual capacity of IL-18 to influence both Th1 and Th2 mediated pathways.
  • To understand the implications of IL-18 in inflammatory and allergic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of IL-18 expression patterns in various immune and non-immune cell types.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Investigating the effects of IL-18 on T helper cell differentiation (Th1 vs. Th2).
  • Assessing the role of IL-18 in the context of IL-12 signaling and allergic inflammation models.

    • Main Results:

    • IL-18 significantly enhances IL-12-driven Th1 immune responses, crucial for combating intracellular microbes via IFN-gamma induction.
    • Overproduction of IL-18, alongside IL-12, is linked to severe inflammatory disorders, highlighting its potent proinflammatory nature.
    • Surprisingly, IL-18 can independently stimulate Th2 cytokine production and promote allergic inflammation, even in the absence of IL-12.

    Conclusions:

    • IL-18 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine with complex and heterogeneous functions in vivo.
    • The cytokine plays a critical role in host defense but also contributes to inflammatory and allergic diseases.
    • Understanding the dual Th1/Th2 regulatory capacity of IL-18 is essential for therapeutic strategies in immune-mediated conditions.