Enables cytokine activity. Involved in several processes, including positive regulation of intracellular signal transduction; regulation of gene expression; and regulation of neurogenesis. Located in extracellular space. Used to study several diseases, including artery disease (multiple); brain disease (multiple); glomerulonephritis (multiple); interstitial lung disease (multiple); and kidney failure (multiple). Biomarker of several diseases, including artery disease (multiple); auditory system disease (multiple); brain disease (multiple); kidney failure (multiple); and lung disease (multiple). Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including autoimmune disease (multiple); blood platelet disease (multiple); eye disease (multiple); gastrointestinal system cancer (multiple); and lung disease (multiple). Orthologous to human IL1B (interleukin 1 beta).