IL-1 alpha（IL-1α） is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. IL-1α control many different cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and cell survival/apoptosis but are also involved in several pathophysiological processes including viral infections and autoimmune diseases. IL-1α is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in various immune responses, inflammatory processes, and hematopoiesis. It is produced by monocytes and macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed and released in response to cell injury, and thus induces apoptosis. IL-1 alpha stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing IL-2 release, B-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity.