Interleukin-18: Biological properties and role in disease pathogenesis

Initially described as an interferon (IFN)-inducing factor, interleukin (IL)-18 is indeed involved in Th1 and NK cell activation, but also in Th2, IL-17-producing T cells and macrophage activation. IL-18, a member of the IL-1 family, is similar to IL-1 for being processed by caspase 1 to an 18kDa-biologically active mature form. IL-18 binds to its specific receptor (IL-18R, also known as IL-1R7) forming a low affinity ligand chain. This is followed by recruitment of the IL-18R chain. IL-18 then uses the same signaling pathway as IL-1 to activate NF-kappa B and induce inflammatory mediators such as adhesion molecules, chemokines and Fas ligand. IL-18 also binds to the circulating high affinity IL-18 binding protein (BP), such as only unbound free IL-18 is active. IL-18R may also bind IL-37, another member of the IL-1 family, but in association with the negative signaling chain termed IL-1R8, which transduces an anti-inflammatory signal. IL-18BP also binds IL-37 and this acts as a sink for the anti-inflammatory properties of IL-37. There is now ample evidence for a role of IL-18 in various infectious, metabolic or inflammatory diseases such as influenza virus infection, atheroma, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or Crohn's disease. However, IL-18 plays a very specific role in the pathogenesis of hemophagocytic syndromes (HS) also termed Macrophage Activation Syndrome. In children affected by NLRC4 gain-of-function mutations, IL-18 circulates in the range of tens of nanograms/mL. HS is treated with the IL-1 Receptor antagonist (anakinra) but also specifically with IL-18BP. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis or adult-onset Still's disease are also characterized by high serum IL-18 concentrations and are treated by IL-18BP.