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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
06:29

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay

Published on: March 1, 2011

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

B Bresnihan1, G Cunnane

  • 1University College, Dublin, Ireland.

Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|August 26, 1998
PubMed

There are three members of the IL-1 gene family: IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-1ra, IL-1 alpha, and IL-1 beta are both antagonist molecules with many proinflammatory effects. IL-1ra is an antagonist molecule that can inhibit the effect of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta by specifically blocking the IL-1 receptor on target effector cells. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are considered to be pivotal cytokines in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. Anti-IL-1 treatment has been shown to cause amelioration of arthritis in animal models and in RA, suggesting that IL-1ra may be an important therapeutic option in the future management of RA.

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