IL6

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional α-helical cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation of various tissues, which is known particularly for its role in the immune response and acute phase reactions. IL-6 protein is secreted by a variety of cell types including T cells and macrophages as phosphorylated and variably glycosylated molecule. It exerts actions through the its heterodimeric receptor composed of IL-6R that lacks the tyrosine/kinase domain and binds IL-6 with low affinity, and ubiquitously expressed glycoprotein 130 (gp130) that binds the IL-6. IL-6R complex with high affinity and thus transduces signals. IL-6 is also involved in hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, and cancer progression, and has been defined an essential role in directing transition from innate to acquired immunity.

IL6 Related Areas

Cancer>>Angiogenesis>>Cytokines/Chemokines in Angiogenesis>>IL-6

Cancer>>Cancer Biomarkers>>IL-6

Immunology>>Cytokine & Receptor>>Interleukin & Receptor >>IL-6 Family & Receptor>>IL-6

IL6 Alternative Names

IL-6, IL6, BSF2, HGF, HSF, IFNB2

Summaries for IL6

Entrez Gene summary for IL6:

This gene encodes a cytokine that functions in inflammation and the maturation of B cells. In addition, the encoded protein has been shown to be an endogenous pyrogen capable of inducing fever in people with autoimmune diseases or infections. The protein is primarily produced at sites of acute and chronic inflammation, where it is secreted into the serum and induces a transcriptional inflammatory response through interleukin 6 receptor, alpha. The functioning of this gene is implicated in a wide variety of inflammation-associated disease states, including suspectibility to diabetes mellitus and systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OMIM - description for IL6:

IL6 is an immunoregulatory cytokine that activates a cell surface signaling assembly composed of IL6, IL6RA (IL6R; 147880), and the shared signaling receptor gp130 (IL6ST; 600694)

Wikipedia summary for IL6:

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene.[1] IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, e.g. during infection and after trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage leading to inflammation. In terms of host response to a foreign pathogen during infection, IL-6 has been shown, in mice, to be required for resistance against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.[2] IL-6 is also a "myokine," a cytokine produced from muscle, and is elevated in response to muscle contraction.[3] It is significantly elevated with exercise, and precedes the appearance of other cytokines in the circulation. During exercise, it is thought to act in a hormone-like manner to mobilize extracellular substrates and/or augment substrate delivery.[4] Additionally, osteoblasts secrete IL-6 to stimulate osteoclast formation. Smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of many blood vessels also produce IL-6 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-6's role as an anti-inflammatory cytokine is mediated through its inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha and IL-1, and activation of IL-1ra and IL-10.

Human IL6 Protein General Information

 

• Protein names: Recommended name: Interleukin-6 Short name: IL-6
• Sequence length: 212 AA
• Domain: Signal
• Sequence similarities: Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.
• Polymorphism: Genetic variations in IL6 may be correlated with bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD is a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture. Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mineral density, disrutption of bone microarchitecture, and the alteration of the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone. Osteoporotic bones are more at risk of fracture.
• Involvement in disease: Genetic variations in IL6 are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis systemic juvenile (RASJ) [MIM:604302]. An inflammatory articular disorder with systemic-onset beginning before the age of 16. It represents a subgroup of juvenile arthritis associated with severe extraarticular features and occasionally fatal complications. During active phases of the disorder, patients display a typical daily spiking fever, an evanescent macular rash, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, serositis, myalgia and arthritis. Note=A IL6 promoter polymorphism is associated with a lifetime risk of development of Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-infected men.
• Sequence similarities: Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.

General information above from UniProt

Function for IL6 Protein

UniProtKB:

Cytokine with a wide variety of biological functions. It is a potent inducer of the acute phase response. Plays an essential role in the final differentiation of B-cells into Ig-secreting cells Involved in lymphocyte and monocyte differentiation. It induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth and induces nerve cells differentiation Acts on B-cells, T-cells, hepatocytes, hematopoeitic progenitor cells and cells of the CNS. Also acts as a myokine. It is discharged into the bloodstream after muscle contraction and acts to increase the breakdown of fats and to improve insulin resistance.

Genatlas:

• IL6 adipokine playing an essential role in the final differentiation of B-cells into Ig-secreting cells, inducing myeloma and plasmacytoma growth, also inducing nerve cells differentiation, in hepatocytes it induces acute phase reactants
• IL6 is a B cell stimulating factor 2, involved in the regulation of immune response, hematopoiesis, platelets production
• IL6 playing a role in the aggressiveness of non Hodgkin lymphoma by stimulating MMP2 and MMP9
• IL6 is involved in protecting retinal ganglion cells from pressure-induced death
• IL6 triggering VEGF-induced angiogenic activity through increasing VEGF release, up-regulates KDR expression and phosphorylation through activating ERK1/2 signaling, and stimulates MMP9 overexpression
• IL6 initiates the expression of RAG1 and RAG2 in circulating B cells, and extends those in tonsil B cells (Pubmed 17982069)
• IL6 dual role of IL6 in inducing and terminating expression of the recombinase machinery for secondary rearrangements in mature human B cells (Pubmed 17982069)
• IL6 is involved in early control of the virus, limiting activation of the adaptive immune response and preventing death of the HBV-infected hepatocyte (Pubmed 19937696)
• with LIF, LEP, CNTF, participate to the complex control of the reproductive function by affecting the development and function of the hypothalamus-pituitary system at different ontogenic times and anatomical sites (Pubmed 19751193)

Phenotype Information for IL6

• Gene/Locus: IL6, IFNB2, BSF2, HSF, HGF
• Phenotype: {Crohn disease-associated growth failure}
  {Diabetes, susceptibility to},
  {Intracranial hemorrhage in brain cerebrovascular malformations,
  susceptibility to} {Kaposi sarcoma, susceptibility to}
  {Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile}

Phenotype Information for IL6 from OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man)

Drugs for IL6

Target	Drug Name	Disease	Drug Status
IL6	Nitroprusside	Hypertension	Approved
IL6	Artemisinin	Malaria	Approved
IL6	Artemisinin SP	Malaria	Approved
IL6	Artesunate	Malaria	Approved
IL6	Dihydroartemisinin	Malaria	Approved

Drugs for IL6 from TTD (Therapeutic Targets Database)