Interleukin-18-binding protein (IL-18BP) is a constitutively expressed and secreted protein. IL-18BP is a cytokine receptor that belongs to the interleukin 1 receptor family. This receptor specifically binds interleukin 18 (IL18) and is essential for IL18 mediated signal transduction. IFN-alpha and IL12 are reported to induce the expression of this receptor in NK and T cells. This gene along with four other members of the interleukin 1 receptor family, including IL1R2, IL1R1, ILRL2 (IL-1Rrp2), and IL1RL1 (T1/ST2), form a gene cluster on chromosome 2q. The adjacently located family members IL18 Receptor 1 (IL18R1) and IL18 receptor accessory protein (IL18RAP) may also be important in the development of asthma and atopy. IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) was only moderately elevated, resulting in a high level of biologically active free IL-18 in HPS. A severe IL-18/IL-18BP imbalance results in Th-1 lymphocyte and macrophage activation, which escapes control by NK-cell cytotoxicity and may allow for secondary HPS in patients with underlying diseases.

> 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE.