Interleukin 18 in acute myocardial infarction Interleukin 18 (IL-18), which is a recently cloned cytokine synthesised by KupVer cells, has been shown to activate macrophages. 1 Macrophages and T cells have been reported to be activated in patients with acute myocar-dial infarction (MI). 2 IL-18 is postulated to play a role in the development of myocardial dysfunction through activation of immun...

To investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-18 in human tuberculosis, IL-18 production was evaluated in blood and at the site of disease in patients with tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis patients secreted less IL-18 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) than did PBMC from healthy persons reactive to tuberculin. M. tubercu...

BACKGROUND Interleukin 18 (IL18) is related to the IL1 family by structure, receptors, signalling molecules, and function. IL18 induces gene expression and synthesis of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL1, Fas ligand, several chemokines, and vascular adhesion molecules. Similar to IL1beta, IL18 is synthesised as a biologically inactive precursor molecule lacking a signal peptide. The IL18 precurs...

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common gastrointestinal infections worldwide. Predominant T-helper 1 (Th1) responses with increased gamma interferon (IFN- γ) levels have been proposed to play an important role in H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer. However, bacterial factors contributing to the initiation of Th1 polarization of H. pylori-specific immune responses have n...

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Immunity to mycobacterial infection is closely linked to the emergence of T cells that secrete cytokines, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), resulting in macrophage activation and recruitment of circulating monocytes to initiate chronic granuloma formation. The cytokine that mediates macrophage activation is IFN-gamma, and, like IL...