Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) (IL-1α)

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) is a dual-function pro-inflammatory cytokine that acts both as a traditional secreted signaling molecule and as an intracellular transcription factor (UniProt P01583). It is constitutively expressed in epithelial cells and is rapidly induced in macrophages and endothelial cells in response to injury or infection (PubMed: 26439524). Unlike IL-1β, the precursor form of IL-1α is biologically active and serves as an 'alarmin' released upon cell death to initiate an inflammatory response (PubMed: 21085127). IL-1α signals through the Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), triggering pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK that drive the expression of other inflammatory mediators (StatPearls: NBK544286). Clinically, IL-1α is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, including hidradenitis suppurativa, and plays a role in the tumor microenvironment by promoting angiogenesis and metastasis (PubMed: 28111595). Therapeutic targeting of IL-1α is achieved through specific monoclonal antibodies like bermekimab or through broader IL-1 pathway inhibitors like anakinra and rilonacept (NCBI: PMC4803361).

Other names

IL-1AIL1AIL1F1Hematopoietin-1Interleukin-1 family member 1

Neutralization of the cytokine or competitive inhibition of the Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) to prevent downstream signaling.