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Interleukin-18 in Inflammatory Kidney Disease.
Yasuaki Hirooka1, Yuji Nozaki2
1Department of Rheumatology, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Nara, Japan.
Frontiers in Medicine
|March 18, 2021
Summary
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in Th1 responses. This review explores IL-18 signaling and its role in inflammatory kidney diseases, including COVID-19 renal injury.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cytokine Signaling
- Renal Pathology
Background:
- Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine structurally similar to IL-1β.
- IL-18 promotes interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production and Th1 immune responses.
- IL-18 signaling involves the MyD88/NF-κB pathway, similar to IL-1β.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on IL-18 signaling pathways.
- To elucidate the role of IL-18 in various inflammatory kidney diseases.
- To present findings on IL-18's association with renal injury in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on IL-18 signaling.
- Analysis of IL-18's involvement in experimental and clinical kidney disease models.
- Examination of data linking IL-18 to COVID-19-related renal pathology.
Main Results:
- IL-18 activity is typically balanced by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) under physiological conditions.
- Dysregulated IL-18 activity and insufficient IL-18BP neutralization are observed in inflammatory diseases.
- IL-18 synergizes with IL-12 for IFN-γ production and independently induces Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), enhancing NK cell activity.
Conclusions:
- IL-18 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory kidney diseases.
- Understanding IL-18 signaling is crucial for developing targeted therapies for kidney inflammation.
- Further research is warranted to explore IL-18's specific contribution to COVID-19-associated kidney damage.
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