title: Role of interleukin-6 in stress, sleep, and fatigue.
abstract: Chronic low-grade inflammation, in particular increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 in the circulation, is observed with increasing age, but it is also as a consequence of various medical and psychological conditions, as well as life-style choices. Since molecules such as IL-6 have pleiotropic effects, consequences are wide ranging. This short review summarizes the evidence showing how IL-6 elevations in the context of inflammatory disease affect the organism, with a focus on sleep-related symptoms and fatigue; and conversely, how alterations in sleep duration and quality stimulate increased concentrations of IL-6 in the circulation. Research showing that acute as well as chronic psychological stress also increase concentrations of IL-6 supports the notion of a close link between an organism's response to physiological and psychological perturbations. The findings summarized here further underscore the particular importance of IL-6 as a messenger molecule that connects peripheral regulatory processes with the CNS.
authors: Department of Psychology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. rohleder@brandeis.edu
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Rohleder
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Aringer
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Boentert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000276:immunology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C502936:tocilizumab