Role of IL-18 in the secretion of Il-1beta, sIL-1RII, and IL-1Ra by human neutrophils

In the present study we investigated the effect of IL-18 on the production of IL-1β, IL-1Ra and sIL-1RII by human neutrophils. Our observations indicate that rhIL-18 induces IL-1β and, to a lesser extend, IL-1Ra and sIL-1RII production by human neutrophils isolated form peripheral blood. However, this effect was less important in comparison with LPS-stimulation. Moreover, the results obtained suggest that IL-18 can induce priming of neutrophils for IL-1β and, to a lesser extend, IL-1Ra and sIL-1RII production by LPS-stimulated cells. The capacity of IL-18 to serve as an effective modulator for IL-1β and its regulatory proteins may have significance in the inflammatory and immune reactions mediated by IL-1β.