Association of interleukin 1 family with systemic sclerosis

Inflammation. 2014 Aug;37(4):1213-20. doi: 10.1007/s10753-014-9848-7.

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized with fibrosis of skin and/or internal organs, and its specific pathological mechanism remains incompletely understood. IL-1 family, whose biological properties are typically pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrosis, has been associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Interleukin (IL)-1 family has 11 members, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-18, IL-33, IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, IL-36Ra, IL-37, and IL-38. With the exception of IL-1Ra and IL-36Ra, each member has its own receptor signal. Abnormal expression of IL-1 and its potential role in the fibrosis process have been probed earliest, as well as its gene polymorphisms with SSc. IL-33 and IL-18 have also been discussed in the recent years, and IL-33 may contribute to the fibrosis of SSc, while IL-18 remains to be researched to confirm its role in fibrosis process. There is a lack of studies on the association of the other members of the IL-1 family, which might provide us the future study area; much more efforts need to be put on this matter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 / physiology*
  • Interleukin-18 / physiology
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / physiology
  • Multigene Family
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin / metabolism

Substances

  • IL18 protein, human
  • IL33 protein, human
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-18
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins