Interleukin-18: a cytokine with multiple personalities? This review examines the complex roles of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in regulating both Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Unlike IL-1, IL-18 is produced by both immune and non-immune cells. In conjunction with IL-12, IL-18 stimulates Th1-mediated immunity, critical for defending against intracellular microbes by inducing IFN-γ. IL-18 alone, however, can also stimulate Th2 cytokine production and allergic inflammation. This heterogeneity in function has been extensively studied in organs containing IL-18-producing cells. This comprehensive overview highlights the diverse and sometimes contradictory functions of IL-18 in vivo, underscoring its importance in immune regulation.
Published in the Annual Review of Immunology, this article is the perfect fit with the jornal’s goal of informing its readers about advancements and new information concerning the study of immunology. By giving a summary of IL-18’s known functions and roles, it provides a good resource for researches in the field.