Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
Published on: March 1, 2011
Interleukin-18 and IL-18BP in inflammatory dermatological diseases
Xiaoyun Wang1,2, Lian Wang1, Xiang Wen1
1Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
Interleukin (IL)-18, an interferon-γ inducer, belongs to the IL-1 family of pleiotropic pro-inflammatory factors, and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a native antagonist of IL-18 in vivo, regulating its activity. Moreover, IL-18 exerts an influential function in host innate and adaptive immunity, and IL-18BP has elevated levels of interferon-γ in diverse cells, suggesting that IL-18BP is a negative feedback inhibitor of IL-18-mediated immunity. Similar to IL-1β, the IL-18 cytokine is produced as an indolent precursor that requires further processing into an active cytokine by caspase-1 and mediating downstream signaling pathways through MyD88. IL-18 has been implicated to play a role in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and bullous pemphigoid in human inflammatory skin diseases. Currently, IL-18BP is less explored in treating inflammatory skin diseases, while IL-18BP is being tested in clinical trials for other diseases. Thereby, IL-18BP is a prospective therapeutic target.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...

