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Review
. 2022 Dec 20;24(1):17.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24010017.

The IL-1 Family and Its Role in Atherosclerosis

Leticia González  1   2 , Katherine Rivera  1   3 , Marcelo E Andia  1   2 , Gonzalo Martínez Rodriguez  4
Affiliations
Review

The IL-1 Family and Its Role in Atherosclerosis

Leticia González et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The IL-1 superfamily of cytokines is a central regulator of immunity and inflammation. The family is composed of 11 cytokines (with agonist, antagonist, and anti-inflammatory properties) and 10 receptors, all tightly regulated through decoy receptor, receptor antagonists, and signaling inhibitors. Inflammation not only is an important physiological response against infection and injury but also plays a central role in atherosclerosis development. Several clinical association studies along with experimental studies have implicated the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines and its receptors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Here, we summarize the key features of the IL-1 family, its role in immunity and disease, and how it helps shape the development of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; inflammation; interleukin-1 family.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
IL-1 superfamily of cytokines. Schematic representation of the three subfamilies, processing enzymes, and main role.
Figure 2
Figure 2
IL-1 superfamily in innate and adaptive immunity. IL-1 cytokines exert their effects on several cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system, triggering type 1, 2, and 3 immune responses. DCs = dendritic cells, NK = natural killer cells, Th1 = Th helper 1 cells, ILC = innate lymphoid cells, Th17 = Th helper 17 cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Role of the IL-1 family in atherosclerosis. Common signaling pathway for IL-1 family cytokines, which bind to IL-1R family members, recruiting MyD88 and IRAK and resulting in the activation of NF-κB and MAPK and then promoting the transcription of several atherosclerotic pro-inflammatory genes. CCs: Cholesterol Crystals; NET: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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