McCurdy S, Yap J, Irei J, Lozano J, Boisvert WA. IL-37-a putative therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases.
QJM 2022;
115:719-725. [PMID:
33486516 DOI:
10.1093/qjmed/hcab011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is a member of the Interleukin (IL)-1 family, IL-37 is unique in that it has wide-ranging anti-inflammatory characteristics. It was originally thought to prevent IL-18-mediated inflammation by binding to the IL-18-binding protein. However, upon discovery that it binds to the orphan receptor, IL-1R8, further studies have revealed an expanded role of IL-37 to include several intracellular and extracellular pathways that affect various aspects of inflammation. Its potential role specifically in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) stemmed initially from the discovery of elevated plasma IL-37 levels in human patients with acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation. Other studies using mouse models of ischemia/reperfusion injury, vascular calcification and myocardial infarction have revealed that IL-37 can have a beneficial role in these conditions. This review will explore recent research on the effects of IL-37 on the pathogenesis of CVD.
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