Potent pro-inflammatory cytokine. Initially discovered as the major endogenous pyrogen, induces prostaglandin synthesis, neutrophil influx and activation, T-cell activation and cytokine production, B-cell activation and antibody production, and fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Promotes Th17 differentiation of T-cells. Synergizes with IL12/interleukin-12 to induce IFNG synthesis from T-helper 1 (Th1) cells. Plays a role in angiogenesis by inducing VEGF production synergistically with TNF and IL6. Involved in transduction of inflammation downstream of pyroptosis: its mature form is specifically released in the extracellular milieu by passing through the gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore.
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Secreted, Lysosome, Secreted, Extracellular exosome
The precursor is cytosolic. In response to inflammasome-activating signals, such as ATP for NLRP3 inflammasome or bacterial flagellin for NLRC4 inflammasome, cleaved and secreted. Mature form is secreted and released in the extracellular milieu by passing through the gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore. In contrast, the precursor form is not released, due to the presence of an acidic region that is proteolytically removed by CASP1 during maturation. The secretion is dependent on protein unfolding and facilitated by the cargo receptor TMED10.