IL-6

IL6

A gene on chromosome 7p21 that encodes interleukin-6, a cytokine which plays a role in the acute-phase response of inflammation and in B-cell maturation. It is primarily produced at sites of acute and chronic inflammation, where it is secreted into the serum and induces a transcriptional inflammatory response through Il-6 receptor alpha.

Molecular pathology
IL6 dysfunction is linked to increased susceptibility to diabetes and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

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IL-6

IFN-β-2 A glycosylated 22-27 kD cytokine that mediates host response to injury and infection and plays a role in growth and differentiation of B cells, T cells, myelomas, hepatocytes, hematopoietic stem cells and nerve cells; IL-6 is critical for development of IgA-related immunity; IL-6 is a major mediator of the acute phase response–APR, stimulating hepatic production of APR proteins

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.