Interleukin-1 family (IL-1 family)

The Interleukin-1 (IL-1) family is a group of 11 cytokines that serve as master regulators of innate immunity and inflammation. This family includes potent pro-inflammatory agonists such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, as well as natural antagonists like IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and anti-inflammatory members like IL-37 and IL-38. These cytokines exert their biological effects by binding to specific cell-surface receptors, most notably the IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), which triggers intracellular signaling cascades involving the MyD88 adapter protein and NF-κB activation. Dysregulation of the IL-1 pathway is a hallmark of numerous autoinflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, and is increasingly recognized in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Therapeutic interventions targeting the IL-1 family include monoclonal antibodies that neutralize specific ligands (e.g., canakinumab), recombinant receptor antagonists (e.g., anakinra), and soluble decoy receptors (e.g., rilonacept). While these therapies are highly effective in controlling chronic inflammation, they are associated with an increased risk of serious infections due to the suppression of host defense mechanisms.

Other names

IL-1 familyIL-1 superfamilyInterleukin-1 cytokine familyIL-1 ligand family

Neutralization of pro-inflammatory ligands, competitive inhibition of cell-surface receptors, and decoy receptor-mediated trapping of cytokines to prevent downstream signaling.