interleukin-1
noun
in·ter·leu·kin-1
ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən-ˈwən 
: an interleukin produced especially by monocytes and macrophages that regulates immune responses by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological processes (such as the onset of fever) usually associated with infection and inflammation
—abbreviation IL-1
Examples of interleukin-1 in a Sentence
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Quercetin has antiviral effects and can suppress inflammatory-causing proteins, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Dec. 2024
When the interleukin-1 beta was blocked with an antibody, the effect of air-pollution exposure was attenuated.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Apart from a surge in interleukin-6, the body may also show high swirling levels of molecules called interleukin-1, interferon-gamma, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2020
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Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Dec. 2024
When the interleukin-1 beta was blocked with an antibody, the effect of air-pollution exposure was attenuated.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Apart from a surge in interleukin-6, the body may also show high swirling levels of molecules called interleukin-1, interferon-gamma, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Interleukin-1.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interleukin-1. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
interleukin-1
noun
: an interleukin produced especially by monocytes and macrophages that regulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological processes (as the onset of fever) usually associated with infection and inflammation
—abbreviation IL-1
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