Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is involved in endothelial activation and dysfunction, and in the pathogenesis and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD).
Increased serum levels of CXCL10 and IL-18 preceded symptoms of aGvHD, accompanied by increased responsiveness to CXCL10 by blood CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells.
In conclusion we found an association between IL10, FAS, and TLR4 in the donor and IL18 in the recipient and an increased risk of developing aGvHD in transplanted children.
These findings suggest that the expression of IL-18R is upregulated in T cells in patients with aGVHD and that the IL-18/IL-18R system is active during aGVHD.