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A recombinant therapeutic agent which is chemically identical to or similar to the endogenous protein cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1)-beta. Produced by monocytes and activated macrophages, endogenous mature IL-1 is generated through proteolytic cleavage by proteases such as IL-1-beta converting enzyme (ICE). This agent promotes angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and neutrophil chemotaxis; it also regulates the functions of lymphocytes and epithelial cells and is involved in the \'acute phase response\' to infection. (NCI04)
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