Clinical Information

The Interleukins belong to the family termed cytokines.  They are peptides used by immune and inflammatory cells to communicate and control cell operations. The cytokines have some similar actions to the Growth Factors but Growth Factors regulate proliferation of non-immune cells.  Interleukin 1a is a 17,500 molecular weight peptide derived primarily from macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and B cells.  The major target cells are T and B cells, Fibroblasts, and Hepatocytes.  Interleukin 1a shares a receptor with Interleukin 1b although they are significantly different structurally.  Interleukin 1a promotes antigen specific immune responses, inflammation, Prostaglandin secretion, Colony Stimulating Factors, proteoglycanase, collagenase, and gelatinase activity, and release of Interleukin 2 from T cells.  Levels are stimulated by liposaccharide, endotoxins, inflammatory agents, lectin, Tumor Necrosis Factor, and Interferons.  Levels are suppressed by Corticosteroids, Prostaglandin E2, and suppressant lymphocytes.