Interleukin-18 (IL-18）is a protein which belongs to the IL-1 family. It is expressed as a 24 kDa precursor by endothelial and epithelial cells, keratinocytes, gamma δ T cells, and phagocytes. Mature mouse IL-18 shares 63% and 91% amino acid sequence identity with mouse and rat IL-18, respectively. IL-18 binds to the widely expressed IL-18 R alpha which recruits IL-18 R beta to form the signaling receptor complex. Its bioactivity is negatively regulated by interactions with IL-18 binding proteins and virally encoded IL-18BP homologs. It augments natural killer cell activity in spleen cells and stimulates interferon gamma production in T-helper type I cells. In the presence of IL-12 or IL-15, IL-18 enhances anti-viral Th1 immune responses by inducing IFN-gamma production and the cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. In the absence of IL-12 or IL-15, however, IL-18 promotes production of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 by CD4+ T cells and basophils.
