Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor signal transduction mechanisms: potential targets for pharmacological control of inflammation.

Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor activate serine/threonine kinase activity in cells within minutes of receptor interaction. Kinases increasing phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein (HSP 27) and epidermal growth factor receptor have been identified and shown to be activated independent of protein kinase A or C. Such kinases are also implicated in activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B. The cytokines have novel signal transduction pathways that could offer potential therapeutic targets.