The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the
interleukin 1 cytokine family. This cytokine is produced by
activated macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically
processed to its active form by caspase 1 (CASP1/ICE). This
cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response, and
is involved in a variety of cellular activities, including cell
proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The induction of
cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX2) by this cytokine in the central
nervous system (CNS) is found to contribute to inflammatory pain
hypersensitivity. This gene and eight other interleukin 1 family
genes form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2. [provided by
RefSeq].
