Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is synthesized as an inactive precursor protein or pro-IL-1β. This precursor is cleaved intracellularly by caspase 1 (IL-1β convertase) to form the active form of the protein that is later secreted (Allan et al.). IL-1β binds to IL-1 receptor and activates intracellular signaling via the MAPK or NF-kB pathway. IL-1β is released by monocytes, tissue macrophages, and dendritic cells in response to infection or injury and induces expression of acute-phase proteins. It also promotes the infiltration of inflammatory and immunocompetent cells from the circulation into the extravascular space and affected tissues, by stimulating the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells. IL-1β also affects other immune cells; for example, it co-stimulates T cell functions together with antigen or mitogen. It also stimulates Th17 differentiation and B cell proliferation in an IL-6-dependent manner. Mice deficient in IL-1β do not show phenotypical differences from wild-type mice; however, they have a reduced response to inflammation, suggesting that IL-1β plays a key role in inflammatory diseases (Dinarello).