IL stands for interleukin
About
- Cytokines are small soluble secreted protein molecules
- They allow communication between the cells involved in immunity
- They mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and haematopoiesis.
- Over 100 have been found and characterised.
- They bind to cell surface receptors and activate tyrosine kinase molecules and alter gene expression
- IL-1 and IL-6 are acute phase reactants.
- Cytokines are 15- to 30-kD polypeptides that have profound immune regulatory and physiologic effects
- Th1 cells produce IFN-gamma and IL-2 and cause delayed-type hypersensitivity
- Th2 cells produce IL-4 and IL-10 and mediate allergic and antibody responses
Interferon alpha
- This is a cytokine with an antiviral activity that activates NK and CD8+ T cells and macrophages.
- It warns other neighbouring cells that there is a risk of viral infection. Side effects are myalgia and is possibly responsible for the flu-like side effects seen in Flu viral infection.
- Same side effects experienced with interferon administration. Pegylated interferon-alpha, in which polyethylene glycol is added to make the interferon last longer. Used to treat Hepatitis B and C infection.
Interferon-beta (Interferon beta-1a and Interferon beta-1b)
- Are used in the treatment and control of multiple sclerosis.
Interferon gamma
- It has antimicrobial and antitumour effects
Tumour necrosis factor alpha
- A cytokine and causes increased apoptosis and expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules and is pro inflammatory.
- In animal administering TNF results in a cardiovascular pattern of shock with vascular dilation and myocardial cell depression that is very similar to clinical sepsis.
- This can be blocked with anti-TNF antibodies. Serum levels of TNF are elevated in severe P. falciparum infection and may be part of the problem.
Interleukin-6
- May be involved in the bony destruction seen in myeloma.Osteoblasts produce IL-6 to stimulate the formation of osteoclasts. This may also have a role in Paget's disease.
- IL-6 stimulates B cells to become plasma cells and measuring IL-6 may well be a standard test in future in certain inflammatory diseases