Description:
One of a group
of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells)
and other cells in the body.
Interleukin-1-beta, one form of
interleukin-1, is made mainly by one type of
white blood cell, the macrophage, and helps another type of
white blood cell, the lymphocyte, fight infections. It also
helps leukocytes pass through blood vessel walls to sites
of infection and causes fever by affecting areas of the
brain that control body temperature. The other form of
interleukin-1, interleukin-1-alpha,
acts the same as interleukin-1-beta.
Interleukin-1-beta made in the laboratory
is used as a biological response modifier to boost the
immune system in cancer therapy.
Interleukin-1-beta is a type of
cytokine. Also called IL-1-beta and IL-1B.
