Interleukin-18 (IL-18) mRNA (IL18 mRNA)

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the IL-18 protein, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-1 superfamily (UniProt: Q14116). This mRNA is primarily expressed in macrophages, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells, where its translation leads to the production of the pro-IL-18 precursor. IL-18 plays a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immunity by stimulating the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) from T cells and natural killer (NK) cells (PubMed: 10540324). The dysregulation and overexpression of IL-18 mRNA are implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (PubMed: 21169510). Therapeutic targeting of the mRNA transcript, rather than the protein itself, allows for the modulation of cytokine production at the pre-translational level. This is typically achieved through the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that bind to the mRNA sequence to induce its degradation or block translation. For instance, the ASO GSK3532142 was developed to target IL-18 mRNA for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04161014). This approach offers a highly specific method for reducing systemic or localized inflammation by preventing the synthesis of the pro-inflammatory IL-18 protein at the source.

Other names

IL-18 mRNAInterferon-gamma-inducing factor mRNAIL1F4 mRNAIGIF mRNAInterleukin 18 mRNA

Antisense inhibition of translation and RNase H-mediated mRNA degradation