IL-36 alpha

IL-36 alpha, a subform of IL-36 family, belongs to IL-1 superfamily. Human IL-36 alpha shares <55% aa sequence identity with mouse. IL-36 alpha binds to IL-36R and activates NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thereby mediating inflammatory response. But the activation requires N-terminal cleavage by neutrophil granule-derived proteases, such as cathepsin G, elastase and proteinase-3[1]. IL-36 alpha can also bind IL-1Rrp2 and recruit IL-1RAcP. IL-36 alpha activats the MAPK, Erk1/2 and JNK through IL-36R/IL-1RAcP[2]. IL-36 alpha is expressed in monocytes, T/B-lymphocytes, spleen, bone-marrow tonsils, lymph nodes and skin[2]. IL-36 alpha is up-regulated in injured kidney. IL-36 alpha is associated with the development of renal pathologies, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, and some inflammatory/immune diseases[3].