IL-1 alpha is a ubiquitous and pivotal pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-1 alpha is produced by monocytes and macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed and released in response to cell injury, and thus induces apoptosis. IL-1 alpha plays an important role in inflammation and bridges the innate and adaptive immune systems. IL-1 alpha mediates the activation of NF-kappa-B and the three MAPK pathways p38, p42/p44 and JNK pathways[1][2].
