Interleukin-1 in Stroke

Inflammation is a host defense response to infection that normally culminates in pathogen removal and tissue repair. In the absence of a pathogen, sterile inflammation occurs, which is now recognized as a major contributor to noncommunicable disease (ie, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus). Although several regulatory molecules are implicated in inflammation, a key central role is provided by members of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family, important mediators of the innate immune response. Here, we provide an overview of the basic biology of IL-1, before going on to describe both the preclinical and the clinical evidence that suggest IL-1 to be a major therapeutic target in all forms of stroke, including details of completed and ongoing clinical trials. It should be noted that in compiling this review, a full systematic search strategy was not used and that any negative data are likely limited by publication bias.