[Interleukin-1 and other proinflammatory cytokines]

Interleukin 1 (IL 1), tumor necrosis factor or alpha and Interleukin 6 are members of a family of soluble factors or cytokines which have multiple biologic activities and play a major role in host defence and in the pathogenesis of various diseases. They act at a low concentration on specific receptors. Their role includes host defence with fever, inflammatory cell migration, activation of immune cells, destruction of bone and cartilage. IL 1 activities are included in a cytokine network which amplifies and regulates the effects of numerous cytokines. Current research is aimed at obtaining drugs capable of modulating the effects of these cytokines.