title: Interleukin-6 and interleukin-11: same same but different.
abstract: The pleiotropic physiological functions of interleukin (IL-)6 type cytokines range from embryonic development and tissue homoeostasis to neuronal development and T cell differentiation. In contrast, imbalance of the well-controlled cytokine signaling network leads to chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. IL-6 and IL-11 both signal through a homodimer of the ubiquitously expressed β-receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130). Specificity is gained through an individual IL-6/IL-11 α-receptor, which does not directly participate in signal transduction, although the initial cytokine binding event to the α-receptor leads to the final complex formation with the β-receptors. Both cytokines activate the same downstream signaling pathways, which are predominantly the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-cascade and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway. However, recent studies have highlighted divergent roles of the two related cytokines. Here, we will discuss how the biochemical similarities are translated into unique and non-redundant functions of IL-6 and IL-11 in vivo and illustrate strategies for cytokine-specific therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, Universit a tsstr. 1, D-40225 Dusseldorf, Germany,
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garbers
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scheller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D017370:Interleukin-11; D015850:Interleukin-6