The interleukin-1 and interleukin-1 converting enzyme families in the cardiovascular system

The multifunctional cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key mediator in the cytokine network. The IL-1 family consists of two zymogen isoforms of IL-1 (IL-1alpha and IL-1beta), the IL-1 receptor antagonists, two receptors and receptor-associated proteins. Identification of the enzyme responsible for cleavage and activation of the IL-1beta precursor, the IL-1beta converting enzyme (ICE; caspase 1), unexpectedly linked the IL-1 family to the apoptosis machinery, since ICE is the founding molecule of the caspase family, which is important for regulation of apoptosis. Although it has been suggested that cytokines are involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases only few informations exist regarding the endogenous production and function of IL-1 and the associated enzyme(s) of the caspase family in the cardiovascular system. Here, we summarize informations regarding the IL-1 and the caspase family in the cardiovascular system.