GeneID: 156

Description:
The encoded protein is a pleiotropic cytokine. It is involved in the process of innate immunity, stimulating end-stage B-cell differentiation, immunoglobulin secretion, T-cell activation, as well as hepatocytes to induce synthesis of acute-phase proteins. IL6 works synergistically with IL3 to stimulate early megakaryocyte development and proliferation of haematopoietic progenitors. Binding of the IL6 to its receptor (IL-6R) forms a complex with ability to bind a second receptor protein, glycoprotein (gp) 130, that in turn activates downstream signal transducers. IL-6 plays a critical role in the generation and propagation of chronic inflammation; IL-6 signalling is implicated in altering the composition of the leukocyte infiltrate at the site of injury and thus facilitating the transition from acute to chronic inflammation. Increased levels of circulating IL6 are linked to several inflammatory diseases, including diabetes mellitus and systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Variation in IL6 gene associated with higher likelihood of retinopathy and leg ulcers in sickle cell disease patients. IL6 may serve as a negative regulator of globin gene expression during megakaryocytic lineage commitment. Treatment of erythroid cultures with IL6 led to inhibition of burst-forming unit-erythroid colony formation with decreased γ- and β-globin production. A potential IL6 binding site TTCTGGAA was identified between nucleotides +11 and +16 relative to the Aγ gene cap site. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants.

Synonyms: BSF2 , HGF , HSF , IL-6 , interferon beta 2

Comments:
N/A

Number of entries/variants: 2

1. Ferry AE, Baliga SB, Monteiro C, Pace BS, Globin gene silencing in primary erythroid cultures. An inhibitory role for interleukin-6., J. Biol. Chem., 272(32), 20030-7, 1997 PubMed
2. Scheller J, Chalaris A, Schmidt-Arras D, Rose-John S, The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-6., Biochim. Biophys. Acta , 1813(5), 878-88, 2011 PubMed
3. Schmidt-Arras D, Rose-John S, IL-6 pathway in the liver: From physiopathology to therapy., J. Hepatol. , 64(6), 1403-15, 2016 PubMed