ABSTRACT
The main cytokines participating in the regulation of the inflammatory response are IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL6, IL10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. Functionally they can be divided into pro-inflammatory (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1Ra, IL-10) molecules. The IL1 gene cluster contains genes coding for both anti-and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1a, (IL-1F1), IL-1b (IL-1F2), IL-1Ra (IL-1F3) and more recently found members of IL-1 family: IL-1F5IL-1F10.1 Pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1a and IL-1b are involved in the enhancement of inflammation and host defence. Anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra counteracts the function of IL-1a and IL-1b. These three members of the family are structurally related to one another and bind to IL-1 receptors (IL-1R) on cells.2 Most IL-1 family cytokines are expressed in monocytes, macrophages, and keratinocytes. All genes in the IL1 cluster are polymorphic and several of these polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with either susceptibility to or severity of inflammatory conditions and diseases.
