Rat Interleukin 1 Beta, IL-1B ELI

IL-1β is a member of the interleukin 1 family of cytokines.

This cytokine is produced by activated macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed to its active form by caspase 1 (CASP1/ICE).

This cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response, and is involved in a variety of cellular activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX2) by this cytokine in the central nervous system (CNS) is found to contribute to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity.

This gene and eight other interleukin 1 family genes form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2.