Interleukin-1 beta messenger RNA (IL1B mRNA)

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) messenger RNA (mRNA) is the genetic template responsible for the production of the IL-1β protein, a master regulator of the inflammatory response. While traditional therapies target the secreted IL-1β protein or its receptor, targeting the mRNA transcript allows for the modulation of cytokine production at the pre-translational level [1]. This approach typically utilizes antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that bind to the mRNA sequence, leading to its degradation by RNase H and subsequently reducing the systemic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine [2,3]. IL-1β is heavily implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, including gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, where overproduction of the cytokine drives tissue damage and disease progression [1,4]. Therapeutic candidates like IONIS-IL1B-LRx are being investigated to provide a more sustained suppression of the IL-1 pathway compared to monoclonal antibodies, potentially offering improved clinical outcomes in cardiometabolic and autoinflammatory conditions [2]. [1] Dinarello CA. Blood. 2011;117(14):3720-3732. [2] Ionis Pharmaceuticals. Pipeline. 2023. [3] Crooke ST, et al. Cell Metab. 2021;33(3):489-509. [4] Ridker PM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(12):1119-1131.

Other names

IL-1 beta mRNAIL1B transcriptInterleukin-1B mRNAIL-1 mRNA

Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated degradation of mRNA via RNase H1 recruitment, preventing the translation of the IL-1 beta pro-inflammatory cytokine.