title: Understanding the link between the IL-6 cytokine family and pregnancy: implications for future therapeutics.
abstract: Cytokines are involved in almost all processes during the menstrual cycle, the fertilization period and pregnancy. They are expressed in numerous reproduction-related body fluids and tissues. Disorders of cytokine expression patterns may cause pregnancy pathologies. Therefore, cytokines have the potential as new biomarkers in different body compartments for a variety of such pathologies. Furthermore, cytokines may also serve to treat fertility and pregnancy disorders. The IL-6-like family of cytokines is an intensively investigated group of cytokines with well-accepted functions in fertility and pregnancy. This article summarizes current knowledge on IL-6-like cytokines in regard of their role in reproduction and their potential for new strategies in the treatment of reproductive pathologies.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital of Jena, Bachstrasse 18, 07743 Jena, Germany. markert@med.uni-jena.de
authors: Udo R
authors: UR
authors: Markert
authors: Diana M
authors: DM
authors: Morales-Prieto
authors: Justine S
authors: JS
authors: Fitzgerald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C508611:IL11 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D017370:Interleukin-11; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor