It is pro inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages and other cells that belongs to the IL-1 super family. IL-18 works together with IL-12 to induce cell-mediated immunity following infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-y (IFN-y ) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells.