Several autoimmune diseases are thought to be mediated in part by interleukin (IL)-18.
Many are those with associated increased interferon-γ (IFNγ) levels such as systemic lupus
erythematosus, macrophage activation syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease,
psoriasis, and graft-versus-host disease. In addition, ischemia, including acute renal failure
in human beings, appears to involve IL-18. Animal studies also support the concept that IL-
18 is a key player in models of lupus erythematosus, atherosclerosis, graft-versus-host …