Interleukin: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:20, 30 December 2024

Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes). The term interleukin was initially used by researchers for those cytokines whose presumed targets are principally leukocytes. It is now used largely for designation of newer cytokine molecules and bears little relation to their presumed function.

Function[edit]

Interleukins play essential roles in the immune system, including the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and motility. They are particularly important in stimulating immune responses, such as inflammation.

Types of Interleukins[edit]

There are many different types of interleukins, each with specific functions:

Interleukin-1 (IL-1): Involved in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2): Stimulates the growth of T cells.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6): Plays a role in the acute phase response and fever.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10): Has anti-inflammatory properties.
Interleukin-12 (IL-12): Important for the differentiation of T helper cells.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Interleukins are involved in a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. For example, IL-6 is a target for rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and IL-2 is used in immunotherapy for certain types of cancer.

Research[edit]

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the complex roles of interleukins in the immune system and their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.

References[edit]

External Links[edit]

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-{{Short description|Overview of interleukins in the immune system}}
 {{Infobox protein
 | name = Interleukin
-| image = Interleukin_structure.png
+| image = <!-- Image removed -->
-| caption = Structure of a typical interleukin molecule
+| caption = <!-- Caption removed -->
 | symbol = IL
-| pdb = 1ILK
+| HGNCid = <!-- HGNC ID -->
+| OMIM = <!-- OMIM ID -->
+| PDB = <!-- PDB ID -->
+| RefSeq = <!-- RefSeq ID -->
+| UniProt = <!-- UniProt ID -->
 }}
-'''Interleukins''' are a group of [[cytokines]] that were first seen to be expressed by [[white blood cells]] (leukocytes). The term interleukin derives from "inter-" as a means of communication, and "-leukin" derived from the fact that many of these proteins are produced by leukocytes and act on leukocytes. Interleukins play a crucial role in the [[immune system]] by regulating the growth, differentiation, and activation of immune cells.
+'''Interleukins''' are a group of [[cytokines]] that were first seen to be expressed by [[white blood cells]] (leukocytes). The term interleukin was initially used by researchers for those cytokines whose presumed targets are principally leukocytes. It is now used largely for designation of newer cytokine molecules and bears little relation to their presumed function.
-==Function==
+== Function ==
-Interleukins are involved in a wide array of immunological functions. They are primarily responsible for:
+Interleukins play essential roles in the [[immune system]], including the regulation of [[cell growth]], [[differentiation]], and [[motility]]. They are particularly important in stimulating [[immune responses]], such as [[inflammation]].
-* Promoting the development and differentiation of [[T cells]], [[B cells]], and [[hematopoietic cells]].
+== Types of Interleukins ==
-* Modulating inflammation and immune responses.
+There are many different types of interleukins, each with specific functions:
-* Acting as mediators in the communication between cells of the immune system.
-Each interleukin has a specific role, and they are often classified by their numeric designation, such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, etc. For example, [[Interleukin 2]] (IL-2) is crucial for the growth and proliferation of T cells, while [[Interleukin 6]] (IL-6) is involved in inflammation and the maturation of B cells.
+* '''[[Interleukin-1]] (IL-1)''': Involved in the regulation of [[immune and inflammatory responses]].
+* '''[[Interleukin-2]] (IL-2)''': Stimulates the growth of [[T cells]].
+* '''[[Interleukin-6]] (IL-6)''': Plays a role in the [[acute phase response]] and [[fever]].
+* '''[[Interleukin-10]] (IL-10)''': Has anti-inflammatory properties.
+* '''[[Interleukin-12]] (IL-12)''': Important for the differentiation of [[T helper cells]].
-==Classification==
+== Clinical Significance ==
-Interleukins are classified into several families based on their structural features and receptor binding properties. Some of the major families include:
+Interleukins are involved in a variety of [[diseases]], including [[autoimmune diseases]], [[inflammatory disorders]], and [[cancer]]. For example, IL-6 is a target for [[rheumatoid arthritis]] treatment, and IL-2 is used in [[immunotherapy]] for certain types of [[cancer]].
-* The IL-1 family, which includes IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-18, known for their role in inflammation.
+== Research ==
-* The IL-2 family, which includes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21, primarily involved in lymphocyte proliferation.
+Ongoing research is focused on understanding the complex roles of interleukins in the [[immune system]] and their potential as targets for [[therapeutic intervention]].
-* The IL-6 family, which includes IL-6, IL-11, and IL-27, known for their role in immune regulation and inflammation.
-==Clinical Significance==
+== See Also ==
-Interleukins have significant clinical implications. Dysregulation of interleukin production or signaling can lead to [[autoimmune diseases]], [[inflammatory disorders]], and [[cancer]]. For instance, overproduction of IL-6 is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases such as [[rheumatoid arthritis]] and [[Crohn's disease]].
+* [[Cytokine]]
+* [[Immune system]]
-Therapeutic interventions targeting interleukins include:
+* [[Inflammation]]
-* Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit specific interleukins, such as [[Tocilizumab]], an IL-6 receptor antagonist used in rheumatoid arthritis.
+== References ==
-* Recombinant interleukins used as drugs, such as IL-2 in the treatment of certain cancers.
+<references />
-==Research==
+== External Links ==
-Ongoing research is focused on understanding the complex roles of interleukins in the immune system and their potential as therapeutic targets. Advances in [[biotechnology]] have enabled the development of novel interleukin-based therapies for a variety of diseases.
+* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ National Center for Biotechnology Information]
+* [https://www.who.int/ World Health Organization]
-==Also see==
-* [[Cytokine]]
-* [[Immune system]]
-* [[T cell]]
-* [[B cell]]
-* [[Autoimmune disease]]
 {{Cytokines}}
-{{Immune system}}
 [[Category:Immunology]]
-[[Category:Cytokines]]
 [[Category:Proteins]]
+[[Category:Cell signaling]]