title: Interleukin-6: from an inflammatory marker to a target for inflammatory diseases.
abstract: The incidence and diversity of chronic inflammatory diseases is increasing worldwide. However, the complexity of clinical symptoms has made it difficult to develop therapies that provide a substantial improvement for extended periods of time in a wide range of patient groups. Thus, there is a need for new therapies that target inflammatory responses without compromising immune defense. Interleukin (IL)-6, one of the first identified cytokines, has recently been recognized as a potential target in inflammatory disease. Here, I discuss how this cytokine has evolved from being a marker of inflammation to a successful target to control inflammation. I will summarize the results from the recent clinical studies using IL-6 receptor blockade, and describe potential mechanisms by which IL-6 can contribute to the progression of inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. mrincon@uvm.edu
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rincon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6