IL-18 and its importance for the Chronic inflammation diseases

Abstract

The aim of this study was a review about the role of IL-18 role in chronic inflammatory diseases and its impact in the  Periodontitis’ development. Chronic inflammation is a patologycal condition characterized by continuous active inflammation response and tissue destruction.  Despite of its etiology, the cause must be removed, otherwise inflammation will be everlasting and turned into a chronic state. During inflammatory process some cellular types seems to coexist: inflamatory cels like linfocits, plasmocits and macrofages, take place together with healing factors such as fibroblasts, vessels and budding axonal. IL -18 was originally described as an IFN-γ-inducing Th1 pathway. High levels of IL-18 were detected within the gingival crevicular fluid during periodontitis’ inflammation process. This cytokine  has been extensively studied and plays a critical role inducing a severe inflammatory response in major  inflammatory disorders. We’ve concluded that IL-18 can either enhances the inflammatory process by acting on Th1cells, induces allergic responses with  the Th2 cells  or activating osseous healing by GM-CSF pathway on macrophages.