ISSN: 1449-2288International Journal of Biological Sciences
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Int J Biol Sci 2012; 8(9):1237-1247. doi:10.7150/ijbs.4989 This issue Cite
Review
IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6
Institute of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Citation:
Rose-John S. IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6. Int J Biol Sci 2012; 8(9):1237-1247. doi:10.7150/ijbs.4989. https://www.ijbs.com/v08p1237.htm
Other stylesAbstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine with many activities. It has functions in the regulation of the immune system and the nervous system. Furthermore, IL-6 is involved in liver regeneration and in the metabolic control of the body. On target cells, IL-6 binds to an 80 kDa IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). The complex of IL-6 and IL-6R associates with a second protein, gp130, which thereupon dimerizes and initiates intracellular signaling. Whereas gp130 is expressed on all cells, IL-6R is only present on few cells in the body including hepatocytes and some leukocytes. Cells, which do not express IL-6R cannot respond to the cytokine, since gp130 alone has no measurable affinity for IL-6. Interestingly, a soluble form of IL-6R (sIL-6R) comprising the extracellular portion of the receptor can bind IL-6 with a similar affinity as the membrane bound IL-6R. The complex of IL-6 and sIL-6R can bind to gp130 on cells, which do not express the IL-6R, and which are unresponsive to IL-6. This process has been called trans-signaling. Here I will review published evidence that IL-6 trans-signaling is pro-inflammatory whereas classic IL-6 signaling via the membrane bound IL-6R is needed for regenerative or anti-inflammatory activities of the cytokine. Furthermore, the detailed knowledge of IL-6 biology has important consequences for therapeutic strategies aimed at the blockade of the cytokine IL-6.
Keywords: IL-6, IL-6 receptor, shedding, soluble receptor, inflammation, inflammation associated cancer.
Citation styles
APA
Rose-John, S. (2012). IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 8(9), 1237-1247. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.4989.
ACS
Rose-John, S. IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2012, 8 (9), 1237-1247. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.4989.
NLM
Rose-John S. IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6. Int J Biol Sci 2012; 8(9):1237-1247. doi:10.7150/ijbs.4989. https://www.ijbs.com/v08p1237.htm
CSE
Rose-John S. 2012. IL-6 Trans-Signaling via the Soluble IL-6 Receptor: Importance for the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of IL-6. Int J Biol Sci. 8(9):1237-1247.
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