title: IL-6 as a keystone cytokine in health and disease.
abstract: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has a broad effect on cells of the immune system and those not of the immune system and often displays hormone-like characteristics that affect homeostatic processes. IL-6 has context-dependent pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and is now regarded as a prominent target for clinical intervention. However, the signaling cassette that controls the activity of IL-6 is complicated, and distinct intervention strategies can inhibit this pathway. Clinical experience with antagonists of IL-6 has raised new questions about how and when to block this cytokine to improve disease outcome and patient wellbeing. Here we discuss the effect of IL-6 on innate and adaptive immunity and the possible advantages of various antagonists of IL-6 and consider how the immunobiology of IL-6 may inform clinical decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Cardiff Institute of Infection and Immunity, The School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Campus, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Simon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000494:pharmacology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000639:trends*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C508603:IL6R protein, human