Rat interleukin-18 binding protein: cloning, expression, and characterization

J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2002 Mar;22(3):321-8. doi: 10.1089/107999002753675749.

Abstract

Interleukin-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a constitutively expressed and secreted protein that lacks a transmembrane domain. IL-18BP binds specifically to mature IL-18 and inhibits its activity. To study the immunomodulating role of IL-18BP in models of autoimmune diseases in rats, we cloned and characterized rat IL-18BP. Rat IL-18BP has 193 amino acid residues and is highly homologous to human and mouse IL-18BP. Recombinant rat IL-18BP binds to rat IL-18, reacts with antibodies to human or mouse IL-18BP, and inhibits IL-18-dependent interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in vitro. Thus, rat IL-18BP can be employed to antagonize the proinflammatory responses induced by endogenous IL-18 in rat models of autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • COS Cells
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / drug effects
  • Interleukin-12 / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-18 / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-18
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • interleukin-18 binding protein
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interferon-gamma