Figure 8.

Schematic diagram of proposed mechanism of the IL-1β-induced signalling pathway involved in the synthesis of IL-6 in primary cortical neurones. IL-1β binds to IL-1R1 in primary neurones to triggers downstream activation of nSMase and Src kinase, which in turn activates NMDA receptors. This leads to an increase in Ca²⁺ influx in the cells, which triggers activation of CamKII and CREB, leading to the ultimate expression of IL-6 gene and synthesis of the protein. CREB, cAMP response element-binding protein; IL, interleukin.