Interleukin-1β is prominent in the early pulmonary inflammatory response after hepatic injury

Microarray analysis identified cytokines of the IL-1 family as central components of acute lung injury after hepatic cryoablation. IL-1β levels increased in both serum and lung tissue over 4 hours after liver injury. Expression of IL-1β peaked early in the injured liver remnant, followed by subsequent increases in the lungs. Targeted intervention against IL-1β may ameliorate liver-mediated lung injury.