IL-1α (D4F3S) Rabbit mAb #50794

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines with 11 members including IL-1β. IL-1α is expressed in many cell types of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origins under steady state, and its expression can be increased in response to appropriate stimuli (1,2). Like IL-1β, IL-1α is also synthesized as a precursor (pro-IL-1α) and can be cleaved into smaller mature forms. However, both pro-IL-1α and the cleaved form of IL-1α are biologically active and can activate the signaling pathway through the membrane receptor IL-1R1. IL-1α is active both as a secreted form and as a membrane-bound form. Due to such characteristics, passive leakage of IL-1α from dying cells can activate inflammation, leading some researchers to consider IL-1α as a key “alarmin in the cell” that alerts the host to damage or injury (3,4). In addition, IL-1α can also enter the nucleus to modulate transcription (5,6).