Combined Deficiency Of Il-1 Beta 18, But Not Il-1 Alpha Beta, Reduces Susceptibility To Hypoxia-Ischemia In The Immature Brain

Interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 belong to the IL-1 family. IL-18 deficiency has been shown to confer moderate protection after hypoxia-ischemia ( HI) in the immature brain, while the contribution of the two isoforms of IL-1 (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta) in neonatal HI brain injury has not been investigated previously. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of the different members of the IL-1 family to neonatal HI damage. Unilateral HI was induced at postnatal day 9 in IL-1 beta, IL-1 beta 18, and IL-1 alpha beta knockout and wild-type mice and brain injury was evaluated 1 week later. IL-1 beta 18-deficient mice showed 17% reduction in brain injury, while no significant reduction in injury was detected between any of the other groups. These results indicate that IL-18, but not IL-1 beta, or the combination of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, is a contributor to HI injury in the immature brain. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.