title: From physiology to disease and targeted therapy: interleukin-6 in inflammation and inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.
abstract: Since its discovery in 1986, originally as B cell stimulating factor 2, the knowledge on IL-6 for immune homeostasis and its pathophysiological implications has rapidly increased. It is now clear that IL-6, alone or in combination with other cytokines, is an architect for shaping and generating immune responses which exerts profound activities on the induction of acute-phase reactions, the differentiation of B lymphocytes, the modulation of T cell apoptosis, the activation of T helper cells and the balance between regulatory T cells and Th17 cells. In parallel to the identification of these physiologic functions, IL-6 has emerged as a critical mediator for perpetuating chronic inflammation and autoimmunity and is increasingly recognized as a key cytokine for linking chronic inflammation to cancer development. In this review, we begin by briefly summarizing the molecular events of IL-6 regulation and signaling and then describe the role of IL-6 in orchestrating innate and adaptive immune responses and its immunopathological relevance for chronic inflammatory diseases. We further outline how IL-6 links chronic inflammation and cancer development and finally provide an outlook on novel therapeutic strategies targeting IL-6 signaling for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany, timo.rath@uk-erlangen.de.
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Rath
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Billmeier
authors: Maximilian J
authors: MJ
authors: Waldner
authors: Raja
authors: R
authors: Atreya
authors: Markus F
authors: MF
authors: Neurath
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors