Interleukin-6 and chronic inflammation.
Interleukin (IL)-6 is produced at the site of inflammation and plays a key role in the acute phase response as defined by a variety of clinical and biological features such as the production of acute phase proteins. IL-6 in combination with its soluble receptor sIL-6Ralpha, dictates the transition from acute to chonic inflammation by changing the nature of leucocyte infiltrate (from polymorphonuclear neutrophils to monocyte/macrophages). In addition, IL-6 exerts stimulatory effects on T- and B-cells, thus favoring chronic inflammatory responses. Strategies targeting IL-6 and IL-6 signaling led to effective prevention and treatment of models of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Gabay
Cem
C
Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. cem.gabay@hcuge.ch
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6