IL-18: a key player in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration?

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-18 is a potent inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1 family. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor (pro-IL-18), which is cleaved into its functionally active form by caspase-1. Resident cells of the CNS express IL-18 and caspase-1 constitutively, thus providing a local IL-18-dependent immune response. Recent studies have highlighted a crucial role for IL-18 in mediating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the CNS under pathological conditions, such as bacterial and viral infection, autoimmune demyelinating disease, and hypoxic-ischemic, hyperoxic and traumatic brain injuries. This review provides a synopsis of the current knowledge of IL-18-dependent mechanisms of action during acute neurodegeneration in immature and adult brains.

• Authors: Ursula Felderhoff-Mueser, Oliver I Schmidt, Andreas Oberholzer, Christoph Bührer, Philip F Stahel
• Journal: Trends in neurosciences (Trends Neurosci) Vol. 28 Issue 9 Pg. 487-93 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0166-2236 [Print] England
• PMID: 16023742 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-18

Topics

• Animals
• Brain (metabolism)
• Humans
• Inflammation (metabolism)
• Interleukin-18 (metabolism)
• Models, Neurological
• Nerve Degeneration (metabolism)