interleukin-1 (redirected from Interleukin 1)

interleukin-1

n. Abbr. IL-1

Any of a group of cytokines, released by macrophages and other cells, that induce the production of interleukin-2 by helper T cells and stimulate the inflammatory response.

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interleukin-1 (IL-1) (in´trloo´kin),

n a protein with numerous immune system functions, including activation of resting T cells, and endothelial and macrophage cells, mediation of inflammation, and stimulation of synthesis of lymphokines, collagen, and collagenases. It can also induce fever, sleep, and nonspecific resistance to infection. A number of interleukin proteins with varying immune-response properties exist. They are identified by numbers of 1 through 8.