IL-18 Antibody

Interleukin-18 is a protein which in humans is encoded by the IL18 gene. IL-18 is a cytokine produced by macrophages and other cells that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily. It is mapped to 11q22.2-q22.3. It works by binding to the interleukin-18 receptor, and together with IL-12, it induces cell-mediated immunity following infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-g (IFN-g) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL-12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production in B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.