IL-1 beta

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1¦Â) is also known as catabolin, is a cytokine protein that in humans is encoded by the IL1B gene. IL-1¦Â precursor is cleaved by caspase 1 (interleukin 1 beta convertase). Cytosolic thiol protease cleaves the product to form mature IL-1 beta. IL1¦Â are structurally related polypeptides that share approximately 21% amino acid (aa) identity in human. Both proteins are produced by a wide variety of cells in response to inflammatory agents, infections, or microbial endotoxins. While IL1¦Á and IL1¦Â are regulated independently, they bind to the same receptor and exert identical biological effects. IL-1¦Â is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This cytokine is produced by activated macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed to its active form by caspase 1 (CASP1/ICE). This cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response, and is involved in a variety of cellular activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX2) by this cytokine in the central nervous system (CNS) is found to contribute to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. This gene and eight other interleukin 1 family genes form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2.