Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a pro inflammatory cytokine, which is secreted by immune cells to trigger inflammation and this has been found profoundly in the lesions caused by Leishmania pathogens. IL-1 is a name that designates two pleiotropic cytokines, IL-1 alpha (IL-1F1) and IL-1 beta (IL-1F2), which are the products of distinct genes. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are structurally related polypeptides that share approximately 21% amino acid (aa) identity in human. Both IL-1α and IL-1β binds to the same receptor and has similar but not identical biological properties; The 17 kDa mature rhesus IL-1 beta shares 96% aa sequence identity with human and 67% - 78% with canine, cotton rat, equine, feline, mouse, porcine, and rat IL-1 beta, are known to modulate effects of neurotoxic neurotransmitters discharged during excitation or inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS).
