Neurobiology of interleukin-1 receptors: getting the message

Eur Cytokine Netw. 2000 Dec;11(4):699-702.

Abstract

Binding of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the brain was first shown a decade ago [1]. Interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1R) in the brain were, at that time, proposed to play a role in mediating symptoms of sickness such as fever, activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis, behavioural depression and increased sleeping. Two years later, IL-1 immunoreactivity was shown in microglia of patients with Alzheimer's disease [2]. Subsequent studies provided evidence for IL-1 expression in most acute and chronic CNS pathologies and gave rise to the concept that glial IL-1 contributes to an inflammatory response in the brain. Recently, new members of the IL-1 receptor family have been discovered and roles for brain IL-1 other than in inflammation are starting to emerge. During a recent meeting* in Biarritz, leading experts in the field reflected on the accomplishments and prospects in this rapidly expanding area of neurobiology.

Publication types

  • Congress

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Reaction / immunology
  • Animals
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Diseases / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 / immunology
  • Interleukin-1 / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Nerve Degeneration / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukin-1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1