Description
Relevance: Mouse Interleukin-1 (IL-1) designates two proteins, IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, which are the products of distinct genes, but recognize the same cell surface receptors. IL-1alpha and IL-1beta are structurally related polypeptides that show approximately 25% homology at the amino acid level. Both proteins are produced by a wide variety of cells in response to stimuli such as those produced by inflammatory agents, infections, or microbial endotoxins. The proteins are synthesized as 31 kDa precursors that are subsequently cleaved into proteins with molecular weights of approximately 17. 5 kDa.
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