Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 400-407, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

Interleukin 1 signal transduction--current concepts and relevance to periodontitis

J. A. Boch, N. Wara-aswapati and P. E. Auron
Department of Periodontology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jboch@caregroup.harvard.edu

This review examines a well-characterized factor, interleukin 1 (IL-1), that has recently received considerable attention. A level of understanding is emerging that goes beyond simple recognition that IL-1 plays a role in disease, and begins to explain the molecular mechanisms of function. This review summarizes some current information on the importance of IL-1 in periodontitis as well as the signal transduction of IL-1, from binding to its cell-surface receptors, to the activation of cytoplasmic mediators and transcription factors responsible for the induction of target genes. The effect of IL-1 signal transduction is ultimately the activation and repression of specific transcription factors that regulate genes responsible for cellular activities. As additional steps of signal transduction become better-characterized, these insights may facilitate the development of improved therapeutic approaches for controlling inflammation and connective tissue destruction in a variety of diseases.

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