The secretion of interleukin-1β

Interleukin (IL)-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine largely produced by cells of the innate immune system in response to tissue damage or to the presence of pathogens. IL-1β-driven inflammation is an established contributor to many disease processes and thus there is great interest in understanding its regulation. This review focusses on the mechanisms involved in the secretion of IL-1β by macrophages. As IL-1β secretion does not follow the conventional ER-Golgi secretory pathway, various mechanisms for IL-1β secretion are proposed, with evidence suggesting that multiple pathways may exist. This review considers the proposed mechanisms determining the secretory pathway of IL-1β.