A multifunctional cytokine (IL-6/BSF-2) and its receptor.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6)/B cell stimulatory factor 2 is a multifunctional cytokine produced by both lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells. IL-6 regulates immune response, acute phase reaction, and hematopoiesis. It was found that IL-6 production by T cells is dependent on macrophages, and IL-6 is one of essential factors for pokeweed mitogen induced immunoglobulin production. Both high- and low-affinity IL-6 receptors were identified. The molecular cloning of IL-6 receptors demonstrated that this receptor is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The deregulated production of IL-6 is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and in the development of multiple myeloma.
Hirano
T
T
Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Osaka University, Japan.
Taga
T
T
Yamasaki
K
K
Matsuda
T
T
Tang
B
B
Muraguchi
A
A
Horii
Y
Y
Suematsu
S
S
Hirata
Y
Y
Yawata
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D005810:Multigene Family; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000473:pathology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D006133:Growth Substances; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6