IL18BP
Description
The IL18BP (interleukin 18 binding protein) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11.
The IL18BP gene encodes Interleukin-18-binding protein, a protein that inhibits the proinflammatory cytokine IL18. It works by binding to IL18, preventing its interaction with its receptor, and thus blocking IL18-induced IFN-gamma production. IL18BP is consistently expressed and secreted by mononuclear cells, with its expression levels increasing in the presence of IFN-gamma. Elevated levels of this protein have been observed in the intestinal tissues of Crohn's disease patients. Three transcript variants, all encoding the same protein, have been identified for this gene.
IL18BP is also known as FVH, IL18BPa.
