IL-37属于细胞因子IL-1家族，有IL-37a－IL-37e共5种不同的亚型。近年来研究发现，IL-37是一种抑制炎症的双功能细胞因子，既可以直接在细胞内进入细胞核发挥作用，也可以分泌至细胞外，作用于自身或周围细胞的膜受体。此文就IL-37的主要生物学活性及其抑制炎症的相应机制，以及IL-37在临床上的应用研究进行综述，以期为临床抑炎治疗提供新思路和新靶点。

IL-37 is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. It consists of five isoforms termed IL-37a－IL-37e. In recent years, it has been found that IL-37 is a dual function cytokine，which exerts broad anti-inflammatory functions as an intracellular and extracellular cytokine. Intracellularly, it can be translocated into the nucleus of cells with other proteins, consequently reducing the inflammation. IL-37 can also be produced and secreted extracellularly by many cells, and bind to the membrane receptors of their own or surrounding cells. This paper summarizes functions of IL-37 and mechanisms of inhibiting inflammation. The latest clinical applications of IL-37 in a wide range of diseases are also discussed, in order to provide new ideas and new targets for clinical anti-inflammatory treatment.