Description
Relevance: Interleukin-1 alpha (IL1alpha) is a cytokine member of the interleukin-1 family. IL-1 consists of two distinct forms: IL1alpha and IL1beta that recognize the same cell surface receptors but are distinct proteins with approximately 25% amino acid sequence identity. IL1alpha is constitutively produced by epithelial cells and plays an essential role in maintenance of skin barrier function. Upon stimulation, a wide variety of cells including osteoblasts, monocytes, macrophages can be induced to express IL1alpha. IL1alpha possesses a wide range of metabolic, physiological, haematopoietic activities, and is critically involved in the regulation of the immune responses and inflammatory responses.
Function: 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