Description
Interleukin-18 also known as IL18 is a protein which in humans is encoded by the IL18 gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a proinflammatory cytokine. IL-18 is a cytokine produced by macrophages and other cells that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily. IL-18 works by binding to the interleukin-18 receptor, and together with IL-12 it induces cell-mediated immunity following infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-µ (IFN-µ) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells