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IL-1 to IL-38: Understanding the Immune System's Molecular Messengers

2 Avril 2026, 15:25pm

Publié par Box News

IL-1 to IL-38: Understanding the Immune System's Molecular Messengers

Interleukins are signaling molecules used by the immune system. They act like messages passed between cells, helping the body decide when to inflame, when to calm down, when to grow new immune cells, and when to attack infection or abnormal tissue. Some interleukins push the immune response forward, while others keep it under control so it does not become harmful. The names can sound similar, but each one has its own main job.

Interleukin-1 is one of the body’s strongest alarm signals. It helps start inflammation when infection or injury is detected. It can cause fever, make blood vessels more open to immune cells, and help the body act quickly against danger. IL-1 is important for defense, but too much of it can drive chronic inflammation.

Interleukin-2 is a growth signal for T cells, which are major immune fighters. It tells T cells to multiply after they recognize a threat. It also supports regulatory T cells, which help prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues. IL-2 is central to immune activation and immune balance.

Interleukin-3 helps the bone marrow produce more blood cells, especially early immune cells. It supports the growth of stem cells and immature immune cells, helping the body replace cells during immune responses. It is especially useful when the body needs to build up its defenses quickly.

Interleukin-4 helps steer the immune system toward a type of response useful against parasites and allergens. It encourages B cells to make certain kinds of antibodies and helps immune cells adopt a “type 2” response. IL-4 also plays a role in allergy, which is one reason it matters in asthma and other allergic diseases.

Interleukin-5 is best known for helping eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in allergy and parasite defense. It helps these cells grow, survive, and become active. High IL-5 activity is often linked with allergic asthma and other eosinophil-driven diseases.

Interleukin-6 is a major inflammation signal. It helps the liver make proteins used during infection, supports fever, and helps immune cells respond to injury or infection. It also affects B cells and T cells. Because IL-6 can rise sharply in many diseases, it is often used as a marker of inflammation.

Interleukin-7 is essential for building and maintaining T cells. It helps young T cells develop and supports the survival of mature T cells and some B cells. Without IL-7, the immune system cannot keep a healthy supply of these cells.

Interleukin-8, also known as CXCL8, is a powerful recruiter of neutrophils, which are rapid-response immune cells. It helps bring them to sites of infection or tissue damage. IL-8 is one of the body’s key “send help now” signals during acute inflammation.

Interleukin-9 supports several immune functions, especially in T cells and mast cells. It can help cells survive and can strengthen type 2 immune responses. It is involved in allergy, asthma, and some immune disorders.

Interleukin-10 is one of the immune system’s main brakes. It reduces inflammation and helps prevent excessive immune damage. It limits the activity of macrophages and other inflammatory cells, making it important for keeping immune responses under control after the danger has passed.

Interleukin-11 has roles in blood cell production and tissue protection. It can support the formation of platelets and has been studied for its ability to help protect tissues from damage. Its effects are more about repair and support than about direct attack on infection.

Interleukin-12 helps push the immune system toward a strong cell-based attack, especially against viruses and other microbes inside cells. It stimulates natural killer cells and T cells to produce interferon-gamma, a signal that strengthens anti-infection defenses. IL-12 is important for type 1 immune responses.

Interleukin-13 works closely with IL-4. It helps drive allergic responses, mucus production, and changes in tissue that can happen in asthma and other chronic inflammatory diseases. It also affects wound healing and can shape how tissues repair themselves.

Interleukin-14 is less widely discussed than some other interleukins, but it has been linked to B cell growth and survival. Its role is more specialized and less clearly defined in everyday immune function than the major interleukins.

Interleukin-15 is important for natural killer cells and memory T cells. It helps these cells survive and stay ready for future threats. IL-15 is especially valuable for long-term immune protection after an infection has been cleared.

Interleukin-16 acts mainly as a chemoattractant, which means it helps guide immune cells to where they are needed. It often attracts T cells and can shape the early stages of inflammation.

Interleukin-17 is a strong inflammation signal made by a group of T cells called Th17 cells. It helps defend against certain bacteria and fungi by attracting neutrophils and boosting protective inflammation. Too much IL-17 can contribute to autoimmune and inflammatory disease.

Interleukin-18 works with IL-12 to increase interferon-gamma production and strengthen immune attacks against infected or abnormal cells. It helps promote type 1 immunity and supports natural killer cells and T cells.

Interleukin-19 is part of the IL-10 family and is linked to inflammation control as well as immune signaling in skin and other tissues. Its exact role is still being studied, but it appears to affect how immune responses develop in certain diseases.

Interleukin-20 is involved in skin inflammation and tissue responses. It has been associated with psoriasis and other inflammatory skin problems. It helps influence how skin cells behave during inflammation and repair.

Interleukin-21 helps coordinate T cell and B cell responses. It supports the growth and function of T cells, helps B cells make strong antibody responses, and plays a role in longer-lasting immune memory. It is also important in some autoimmune diseases.

Interleukin-22 acts mostly on barrier tissues such as skin, gut, and lungs rather than directly on immune cells. It helps these tissues repair themselves and produce protective molecules. IL-22 can be helpful in healing, but too much can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Interleukin-23 helps maintain Th17 cells and strengthens IL-17-driven immune responses. It is important in protection against some infections, but it also plays a major role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis.

Interleukin-24 is involved in cell growth, inflammation, and tissue responses. It has attracted attention because it may help suppress tumor growth in some settings, while also shaping inflammatory signals in the skin and other tissues.

Interleukin-25, also called IL-17E, encourages type 2 immune responses. It helps drive allergy-related inflammation and responses to parasites. It works with IL-4 and IL-13 in conditions such as asthma and eczema.

Interleukin-26 is made mainly by certain T cells and is involved in inflammation and defense against infection. It can help fight microbes, but it is also linked with inflammatory disease.

Interleukin-27 helps shape early immune responses and can either stimulate or calm immunity depending on the situation. It supports T cell activity at first, but it can also limit excessive inflammation later. This makes it a regulator as well as an activator.

Interleukin-28 is now usually grouped with interferon lambda rather than listed as a classic interleukin in the same way as the others. It helps protect against viral infection, especially at barrier tissues such as the lining of the lungs and gut.

Interleukin-29 has similar antiviral effects to IL-28. It helps cells resist viruses and supports local immune defense, especially in tissues exposed to the outside world.

Interleukin-30 is not always treated as a separate classic interleukin in modern naming, and its role is less settled than the better-known interleukins. Where discussed, it is usually considered part of a broader immune signaling network with regulatory functions.

Interleukin-31 is strongly linked with itching and skin inflammation. It is one of the molecules that can make chronic itch worse in conditions like eczema. It also affects immune activity in the skin.

Interleukin-32 promotes inflammation and helps immune cells release other inflammatory signals. It has been associated with several inflammatory diseases, though its biology is still being worked out.

Interleukin-33 acts as an alarm signal released when tissues are damaged. It helps drive type 2 immunity, allergy, and repair responses. It can activate many kinds of immune cells and is important in asthma and other inflammatory conditions.

Interleukin-34 helps support monocytes, macrophages, and related cells. It shares one of its receptors with another immune growth factor and is important for the survival and function of certain cells that clean up debris and help with tissue maintenance.

Taken together, the interleukins form a communication network that lets the immune system react quickly, stay targeted, and then shut down when the job is done. Some interleukins, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23, are strongly associated with inflammation. Others, such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-10, and IL-15, help immune cells grow, survive, or stay controlled. Still others, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-25, and IL-31, are closely tied to allergy, asthma, and skin disease. A few, like IL-22 and IL-33, act mainly as tissue messengers, helping damaged organs repair themselves while also shaping immune responses.

(Source : ChatGPT)

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