Role for IL-1 in the leukemogeneic bone marrow microenvironment. Hematopoietic stem cells acquire mutations during aging, which results in clonal hematopoiesis, and in some persons, in the development of hematological malignancies. This process is promoted by chronic inflammation, during which proinflammatory cytokines (eg, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8), as well as other signaling molecules (eg, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and matrix metalloproteinases) stimulate leukemogenesis in the bone marrow microenvironment.