Anti-IL-18 (Mouse) mAb

Interleukin 18 (IL - 18) is a n 18 kDa cytokine which identified as a c ostimulatory factor for production of interferon - ? (IFN - ? ) in response to toxic shock and shares functional similarities with IL - 12. IL - 18 is synthesized as a precursor 24 kDa molecule without a signal peptide and must be cleaved to produce an active molec ule. IL - 1 converting enzyme (ICE, Caspase - 1) cleaves pro - IL - 18 at aspartic acid in the P1 position, producing the mature, bioactive peptide that is readily released from the cells. It is reported that IL - 18 is produced from Kupffer cells, activated macroph ages, keratinocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, osteoblasts, adrenal cortex cells and murine diencephalon. IFN - ? is produced by activated T or NK cells and plays critical roles in the defense against microbiral pathogens. IFN - ? activates macrophages, enhances NK activity and B cell maturation, proliferation and Ig secretion, induces MHC class I and II antigens, and inhibits osteoclast activation. IL - 18 acts on T helper type - 1 (Th1) T cells and in combination with IL - 12 strongly induces them to produce IFN - ? . Pleiotropic effects of IL - 18 has also been reported, such as, enhancement production of IFN - ? and GM - CSF in p eripheral blood mononuclear cells, production of Th1 cytokines, IL - 2, GM - CSF and IFN - ? in T cells, enhancement of Fas ligand expression by Th1 cells.