Interleukin-37 (IL-37), a member of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokine family, is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in regulating immune responses and maintaining immune homeostasis. Unlike most pro-inflammatory IL-1 family members, IL-37 broadly suppresses innate and adaptive immunity by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6), and promoting anti-inflammatory mediators. It exists in five splice variants (IL-37a-e), with IL-37b being the most studied due to its functional caspase-1 cleavage site and nuclear localization signal.
IL-37 antibodies are essential tools for detecting and quantifying IL-37 in research and clinical settings. These antibodies, often monoclonal or polyclonal, are used in techniques like ELISA, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to study IL-37 expression patterns in tissues, serum, or cell cultures. Their development has advanced understanding of IL-37’s involvement in inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis), autoimmune disorders, and cancer, where dysregulated IL-37 levels correlate with disease progression or resolution.
Therapeutic interest in IL-37 antibodies focuses on their potential to modulate inflammation. Neutralizing antibodies may help control excessive IL-37 activity in rare pro-inflammatory contexts, while agonist antibodies might mimic IL-37’s anti-inflammatory effects. However, challenges remain in optimizing specificity, delivery, and minimizing off-target effects. Ongoing research aims to harness IL-37’s immunomodulatory properties for novel treatments against chronic inflammation and immune-mediated pathologies.