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<br /> IL-18 is a cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other <u>Cell</u> s. IL-18 works by binding to the interleukin-18 receptor, and together with IL-12 it induces cell-mediated immunityfollowing infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells.</center>
The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production in B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.[3]
