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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interleukin-1.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Interleukin-1.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interleukin-1. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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