Biological agents targeting interleukin-18

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-18 is an important regulator of both innate and acquired immune responses. It is upregulated in several human autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and, therefore, might represent a novel therapeutic target. This review highlights the biology of IL-18, its central role in inflammation and immune response, as well as provides evidence for the involvement of IL-18 in selected chronic inflammatory diseases. After that, the authors discuss various therapeutic strategies of IL-18 blockade in clinical and preclinical models, particularly the inhibition of IL-18 secretion, IL-18 binding protein, anti-IL-18 monoclonal antibodies and soluble IL-18 receptor.