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- Table of Contents
IL-18 Signaling Pathway
Interactive map for innate immune activation, MAPK and NF-κB responses
Explore pathway targetsInteractive pathway map — select a highlighted node
Biomarker and antibody panel
High-confidence gene mappings from the native pathway map. Exact SKUs are retained where already validated; remaining targets open live catalog matches.
| Target | Role in pathway | Boster antibody route | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL18 | Initiating cytokine | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| IL18R1 | Receptor signaling chain | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| MYD88 | Proximal adaptor | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| IRAK1 | Adaptor-associated kinase | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| TRAF6 | Signal-amplifying E3 ligase | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| IKBKB (IKK) | NF-κB activation | PA2036-1 | Exact SKU |
| NFKB1 | Inflammatory transcription | PA2111 | Exact SKU |
| RAF1 | MAPK branch | A00446-1 | Exact SKU |
| MAPK14 (p38) | Stress-activated kinase output | View live matches | Needs product selection |
| JUN (AP-1) | Inflammatory transcription | View live matches | Needs product selection |
What is IL-18 signaling?
IL-18 is an IL-1-family cytokine that signals through a heterodimeric receptor complex. Receptor engagement recruits MyD88 and IRAK-family proteins, then branches through TRAF6 into NF-κB and MAPK programs. The resulting transcriptional response supports inflammatory cytokine production and context-dependent IFN-γ biology.
Proximal signal
IL-18R, MyD88, IRAK and TRAF6 establish the receptor-to-cytoplasm relay.
NF-κB branch
IKK activation releases NF-κB-dependent inflammatory transcription.
MAPK branch
JNK, p38 and AP-1 broaden the response to stress and cytokine inputs.
Key takeaways
- Measure receptor-proximal and transcriptional markers to distinguish signaling competence from cytokine abundance.
- NF-κB, p38 and AP-1 are shared outputs, so attribution to IL-18 requires appropriate stimulation and blockade controls.
- IL-18BP and receptor-chain abundance can strongly change pathway sensitivity.
Scale-test note: several labels on the source artwork are protein families or historical aliases. Only nodes with defensible human gene mappings are clickable.
Pathway crosstalk
IL-18 shares MyD88–IRAK–TRAF6 architecture with other IL-1-family and Toll-like receptor pathways. Downstream convergence on NF-κB, JNK and p38 means orthogonal controls are essential when assigning an observed response specifically to IL-18.
Cell-type-specific roles
NK and T cells
IL-18 can cooperate with additional cytokines to amplify IFN-γ-oriented responses.
Myeloid cells
Supports inflammatory mediator production through NF-κB and MAPK outputs.
Epithelial and stromal contexts
Response strength depends on receptor expression and local inflammatory cues.
Frequently asked questions
Is IL-18 abundance enough to prove signaling?
No. Pair cytokine measurement with receptor-proximal or downstream activation markers and a functional output.
Why include IL-18BP?
IL-18BP is a soluble regulator that can reduce bioavailable IL-18 even when total IL-18 is elevated.