IL18 and age-related macular degeneration: There is a strong link between these cytokines and AMD in patients.29, 30 Maturation of IL-1β and its analog, IL-18, was promoted by NLRP3 inflammasome activation, a pathway essential in both dry and wet AMD.31 IL-1β and IL-18 have cytotoxic effects in inducing RPE degeneration.