The history of what, in 1979, was called
interleukin-1 (IL-1), orchestrator of leukocyte inter-communication, began many years before then, initially by the observation of
fever induction via the
endogenous pyrogen (EP) (1974) and then in rheumatology on the role in tissue destruction in rheumatoid diseases via the induction of
collagenase and
PGE2 in human synovial cells by a mononuclear cell factor (MCF) (1977). Since then, the family has exploded to presently 11 members as well as many membrane-bound and soluble receptor forms. The discovery of a natural
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in human
biological fluids has highlighted the importance of
IL-1 and
IL-1Ra in human diseases. Evidence delineating its role in autoinflammatory syndromes and the elucidation of the macromolecular complex referred to as "
inflammasome" have been instrumental to our understanding of the link with
IL-1. At present, the IL-1blockade as therapeutic approach is crucial for many
hereditary autoinflammatory diseases, as well as for
adult-onset Still's disease, crystal-induced
arthropathies, certain
skin diseases including neutrophil-triggered
skin diseases, Behçet's disease and deficiency of
IL-1Ra and other rare
fever syndromes. Its role is only marginally important in
rheumatoid arthritis and is still under debate with regard to
osteoarthritis,
type 2 diabetes mellitus,
cardiovascular diseases and
cancer. This brief historical review focuses on some aspects of
IL-1, mainly IL-1β and IL-Ra, in rheumatology. There are many excellent reviews focusing on the
IL-1 family in general or with regard to specific diseases or
biological discoveries.