Figure 2. Role of IL-1β in inflammation.

Macrophages synthesize IL-1β precursor in response to activation by IL-1α. The IL-1β precursor undergoes either intracellular processing by caspase 1 or extracellular processing by serine proteases -released from neutrophils- to produce active IL-1β. Active IL-1β breaks the vascular integrity to gain access to the vascular compartment, and binds to IL-1RI receptors on capillaries. This step induces vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) which promote more monocyte migration and hence increased production of IL-1β. Anti-IL-1β = Canakinumab. Adapted from reference [7].