白介素18信号通路图

相关专题 IL-18 is a cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other Cell s. IL-18 works by binding to the interleukin-18 receptor, and together with IL-12 it induces cell-mediated immunityfollowing infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells.

The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production in B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.[3]