The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel human IL-1 epsilon polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, the use of such polypeptides in cellular and immune reactions, the use of such polypeptides in screening for agonists or antagonists of IL-1 epsilon activity, and kits comprising such polypeptides.