Role of IL-1α and IL-1β in cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation and COPD

Signalling through the IL-1 Receptor-I (IL-1RI) is critical in the pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS). Although several reports implicate IL-1β in the pathogenesis of COPD, it remains unclear whether IL-1α or IL-1β is the predominant ligand for IL-1RI in CS-induced inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to air or CS for 3 days (acute exposure) and were treated on day 1 and 3 with an intravenous injection of 40μg anti-IL-1α,...