The interleukin-1 receptor.

One of the pivotal events in the initiation of inflammatory responses is activation of both resident tissue macrophages at the site of damage and circulating monocytes infiltrating the area. The activated macrophages release a group of factors which influence inflammation and tissue regulation. In this review, Steven Dower and David Urdal centre attention on part of this group of factors; the interleukin-1 system, and in particular the interleukin-1 receptor on target cells.