Interleukin-1 and neuronal injury.

Abstract

Interleukin-1 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has numerous biological effects, including activation of many inflammatory processes (through activation of T cells, for example), induction of expression of acute-phase proteins, an important function in neuroimmune responses and direct effects on the brain itself. There is now extensive evidence to support the direct involvement of interleukin-1 in the neuronal injury that occurs in both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. This article discusses the key evidence of a role for interleukin-1 in acute neurodegeneration - for example, stroke and brain trauma - and provides a rationale for targeting the interleukin-1 system as a therapeutic strategy.

• Authors: Stuart M Allan, Pippa J Tyrrell, Nancy J Rothwell
• Journal: Nature reviews. Immunology (Nat Rev Immunol) Vol. 5 Issue 8 Pg. 629-40 (Aug 2005) ISSN: 1474-1733 [Print] England
• PMID: 16034365 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-1

Topics

• Animals
• Central Nervous System (drug effects, pathology)
• Humans
• Interleukin-1 (genetics, pharmacology, physiology)
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (immunology, pathology)
• Neurons (drug effects, pathology)