Interleukin-1 beta
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the regulation of immune response and inflammation. It is produced by various cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocytes, in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Pronunciation
Interleukin-1 beta is pronounced as /ˌɪntərˈluːkɪn wʌn ˈbeɪtə/.
Etymology
The term "Interleukin" is derived from "inter-", a prefix of Latin origin meaning "between", and "leukin", which is derived from "leukos", the Greek word for "white", referring to white blood cells or leukocytes. The "beta" (β) denotes the specific subtype of the interleukin-1 family.
Function
IL-1β is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that is involved in various immune responses, inflammatory processes, and hematopoiesis. It is primarily produced by monocytes and macrophages as a response to microbial pathogens or tissue damage. IL-1β can stimulate the production of other cytokines and enhance the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells, promoting the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation.
Related Terms
- Cytokine: A type of protein that is secreted by immune cells and acts on other cells to coordinate appropriate immune responses.
- Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells.
- Dendritic cell: A type of immune cell that processes antigen material and presents it on the surface to other cells of the immune system.
- Monocyte: A type of leukocyte, or white blood cell, that can differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells to respond to infection.
- Inflammation: A protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators to remove harmful stimuli.
- Hematopoiesis: The formation of blood cellular components.
- Endothelial cells: Cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
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