Interleukin-6

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene. IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine.

Function

Interleukin-6 is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, especially during tissue damage leading to inflammation, and trauma, leading to wound healing. It is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and initiating synthesis of PGE2 in the hypothalamus, leading to fever.

Clinical significance

IL-6 is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, depression, Alzheimer's Disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, Behçet's disease, and Rheumatoid arthritis.

See also

• Interleukin
• Cytokine
• Inflammation
• Immune response

External links

• Interleukin-6 at WikiMD

Interleukin-6 Resources
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