Anti-Human IL-1 alpha Monoclonal Antibody (Bermekimab)

IL-1α (interleukin-1α) is a multifunctional pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-1 family, distinguished by its ability to function both as a membrane-bound protein with local effects and as a secreted active factor released upon cellular damage or stress. Its gene is located on chromosome 2, and the encoded precursor protein (pro-IL-1α) requires cleavage by proteases such as calpain to gain full biological activity; moreover, this precursor can translocate into the nucleus to serve as a transcriptional regulator involved in modulating gene expression. IL-1α exerts its effects by binding to the IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) on the cell surface and recruiting the IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) to form a high-affinity complex, which subsequently activates multiple downstream signaling pathways including NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K-AKT, promoting the expression of numerous inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and adhesion molecules. Physiologically, IL-1α plays roles in host defense, tissue repair, and immune regulation; however, under pathological conditions, its aberrant expression is closely associated with various autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis), chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis, as well as pro-inflammatory and pro-metastatic effects within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, IL-1α is also recognized as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule, playing a critical signaling role in sterile inflammation and tissue injury, and has therefore become a research focus in anti-inflammatory therapy and tumor immunotherapy, with monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-1α showing therapeutic potential in clinical trials for certain diseases.