Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is secreted by the macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells. It is an important part of the inflammatory response. It increases the expression of adhesion factors on endothelial cells to enable transmigration of leukocytes. It also re-sets the hypothalamus thermoregulatory center, leading to an increased body temperature which expresses itself as fever. It is therefore called an endogenous pyrogen . The increased body temperature helps the body's immune system to fight infection.
The two forms of interleukin-1 are
The IL-1 receptor antagonist IL-1Ra is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is commercially produced as anakinra , which is a human recombinant form of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist.
