Interleukin-18 receptor

Interleukin-18 receptor (IL-18R) is a type of protein that is encoded by the IL18R1 gene in humans. It is a part of the interleukin receptor family, which plays a crucial role in the immune system.

Structure

The IL-18R is a heterodimeric receptor that is composed of two subunits: the alpha chain (IL-18Rα) and the beta chain (IL-18Rβ). The alpha chain is responsible for ligand binding, while the beta chain is involved in signal transduction.

Function

The primary function of the IL-18R is to bind to interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory cytokine. This binding initiates a series of intracellular signaling events that lead to the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which is involved in the regulation of immune responses.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the IL-18R have been associated with several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, increased expression of IL-18R has been observed in certain types of cancer, suggesting a potential role in tumor progression.

See also

• Interleukin-18
• Interleukin receptor
• Cytokine
• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer