IL-18

Interleukin 18 (IL-18), also known as INFγ-inducing factor, is a cytokine that plays key roles in many physiological functions including immunology and metabolic processing. It serves as a biomarker or therapeutic target for a wide array of disease indications. This protein has been observed to be produced by dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. 

IL-18 exists in two forms- pro IL-18 and mature IL-18.  It is first present in the pro-form 24 kd precursor and lacks the signal sequence required for secretion¹.  ICE (IL-1β Converting Enzyme) or Caspase 1 cleaves Pro-IL-18 after Asp35 activating IL-18. ² This 18 kD active form is seen in body tissues and carries out IL-18 function, playing a crucial role in the immune defenses.

Biological significance

IL-18 has been shown to have a rapid secretion/activation response.  Induction is observed as early as 1 hour after stimulation with anti-CD40.  Further, IL-18 is indicated in various disease conditions.  High levels of IL-18 are detected in the blood of patients with allergic diseases (bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, etc.) and also those with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Adult Still’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.). Additionally it is found in the urine of patients with acute renal disorder³ and appears to mediate the progression of type 2 diabetes⁴.  The regulation and release of IL-18 is still under investigation. This could unlock the therapeutic potential of IL-18 as a biomarker or a drug target.

 MBL International is the first supplier of antibodies and ELISA kits for IL-18, these reagents are the gold standard in the IL-18 research domain. See how MBL International can help your research in IL-18. Bulk pricing is available.

IL-18 ELISA Kits

Product Code	PRODUCT NAME
7620	Human IL-18 ELISA Kit
7625	Mouse IL-18 ELISA Kit

Popular IL-18 Antibody Clones

CLONE	PRODUCT CODE
125-2H	D044-3, D044-3M2
25-2G	D043-3
39-3F	D046-3
74	D047-3
159-12B	D045-3, D045-6
93-10C	D048-3, D048-6
91D8	M158-3
21A12	M157-3

IL-18 Recombinant Proteins

Product Code	Product Name
B001-5	Recombinant human IL-18
B002-5	Recombinant mouse IL-18
B003-2	Recombinant Human IL-18 (-BSA)
B003-5	Recombinant Human Il-18 (-BSA)
B004-2	Recombinant Mouse IL-18 (-BSA)
B004-5	Recombinant Mouse IL-18 (-BSA)

Data using MBL International Products

References

1. Okamura, et al. (1995). Cloning of a new cytokine that induces IFN-gamma production by T cells. Nature, 378. 88-91.
2. Gracie, J., Robertson, S., & McInnes, I. (2003). Interleukin-18. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 73(2), 213-224. 
3. Washburn, K., Zappitelli, M., Arikan, A., Loftis, L., Yalavarthy, R., Parikh, C., … Goldstein, S. (2007). Urinary interleukin-18 is an acute kidney injury biomarker in critically ill children. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 23(2), 566-572
4. Trøseid, M., Seljeflot, I., & Arnesen, H. (2010). The role of interleukin-18 in the metabolic syndrome. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 9(11).
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6. Thompson, S. R., et al., Clin. Chemist. 53, 2078-2085 (2007)
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8. Vujisic, S., et al., Hum. Reprod. 21, 2650-2655 (2006)
9. Parikh, C. R., et al., J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 16, 3046-3052 (2005)
10. Tada, H., et al., Infect. Immunol. 73, 7967-7976 (2005)
11. Baratin, M. L., et al., PNAS. 102, 14747-14752 (2005)
12. Oku, H., et al., Hum. Reprod. 19, 709-714 (2004)
13. Kaizu, M., et al., Virology 313, 8-12 (2003)
14. Ahmad, R., et al., J. Virol. 76, 12448-12456 (2002)
15. Rouabhia, M., et al., Infect. Immunol. 75, 3739-3746 (2002)
16. Shida, K., et al., J. Immunol. 166, 6671-6679 (2001)
17. Narita, M., et al., Clin. Diagn. Lab. 7, 909-914 (2000)
18. Tao, D., et al., Cell Immunol. 173, 230-235 (1998)
19. Taniguchi, M., et al., J. Immunol. Methods 206, 107-113 (1997)
20. Micallef, M., et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 26, 1647-1651 (1996)
21. Ushio, S., et al., J. Immunol. 156, 4274-4279 (1996)