Description
Produced by activated macrophages, IL-1 stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing IL-2 release, B-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL-1 proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin and collagenase from synovial cells. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta have overlapping proinflammatory activities, to control fever induction, initiate rheumatoid arthritis and promote septic shock