Recent advances in the biology of IL-1 family cytokines and their potential roles in development of sepsis.

•The innate immune responses mediated by IL-1 family cytokines are essential for helping the host respond effectively to sepsis.•On the other hand, IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 act directly on T cells to strengthen adaptive immunity. IL-37 acts as a negative feedback factor to influence regulatory T cells (Tregs) and thereby dampen lymphocytes.•The levels of various IL-1 family cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, IL-33, ST2, IL-36α, and IL-38) may provide diagnostic and prognostic value as clinical biomarkers.•Future treatments against sepsis may target certain cytokines (IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-18BP, IL-33, IL-36α, and IL-38), for which studies in humans are needed, since most studies of IL-1 family cytokines except IL-1ra have been carried out in cell culture and small animals.