interleukin-1

noun

in·​ter·​leu·​kin-1 ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən-ˈwən 

: an interleukin produced especially by monocytes and macrophages that regulates immune responses by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological processes (such as the onset of fever) usually associated with infection and inflammation

—abbreviation IL-1

Examples of interleukin-1 in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quercetin has antiviral effects and can suppress inflammatory-causing proteins, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). —Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Dec. 2024

When the interleukin-1 beta was blocked with an antibody, the effect of air-pollution exposure was attenuated. —Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023

Apart from a surge in interleukin-6, the body may also show high swirling levels of molecules called interleukin-1, interferon-gamma, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

interleukin-1

noun

-ˈwən 

: an interleukin produced especially by monocytes and macrophages that regulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological processes (as the onset of fever) usually associated with infection and inflammation

—abbreviation IL-1