Interleukin-1 in the Immune Response and the Role of Ia Molecules in Interleukin-1 Production
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a hormone-like peptidc of molecular weight 15000 Originally described as a product of activated macrophages, it is now appreciated that IL-1-like molecules are produced by many cell types. A broad spectrum of biological actions is attributed to IL-1, including inflammatory, cell growth and differentiation, and even influences on behaviour.Cells of the immune system react to IL-1 in several ways. T cells respond by producing lymphokines, B cells by proliferation, and macrophages by prostaglandm production. The IL-1 available to these cells during immune responses is probably released from macrophages following cellular contact with T cells. During this T-cell-macrophage interaction, recent evidence suggests that la molecules on the macrophage membrane are involved in receiving stimulatory signals from T cells This receptor-like role for la may also be involved when microbial products stimulate IL-1 release from macrophages. In the past, the function of la molecules on macrophages has been generally regarded as ‘outward-directed’, i.e. involved in the stimulation of T cells. This newer interpretation of la function proposes that la molecules serve the cell which synthesizes and displays them.
KEY WORDS: Interleukin-1, la molecules, Immune response