IL-6

IL6

A gene on chromosome 7p21 that encodes interleukin-6, a cytokine which plays a role in the acute-phase response of inflammation and in B-cell maturation. It is primarily produced at sites of acute and chronic inflammation, where it is secreted into the serum and induces a transcriptional inflammatory response through Il-6 receptor alpha.
Molecular pathology
IL6 dysfunction is linked to increased susceptibility to diabetes and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

IL-6

IFN-β-2 A glycosylated 22-27 kD cytokine that mediates host response to injury and infection and plays a role in growth and differentiation of B cells, T cells, myelomas, hepatocytes, hematopoietic stem cells and nerve cells; IL-6 is critical for development of IgA-related immunity; IL-6 is a major mediator of the acute phase response–APR, stimulating hepatic production of APR proteins

interleukin

(in?ter-loo'kin),

IL

A type of cytokine that enables communication among leukocytes and other cells active in inflammation or the specific immune response. The result is a maximized response to a microorganism or other foreign antigen. See: cell-mediated immunity; cytokine; inflammation

interleukin-1

Abbreviation: IL-1
A cytokine released by almost all nucleated cells that activates the growth and function of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages; promotes the release of additional mediators that influence immune responses; enhances production of cerebrospinal fluid; and modulates certain adrenal, hepatic, bone, and vascular smooth muscle cell activity. Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factors, whose actions are almost identical to those of IL-1, are involved in fever production and other systemic effects of inflammation. See: tumor necrosis factor

interleukin-1-beta

Abbreviation: IL-1-ß
A protein released by activated macrophages that stimulates B cells and thymocytes to proliferate and mature and increases the secretion of interleukin 2. It is found in high levels in the blood of patients with septic shock and in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis. Synonym: catabolin

interleukin-2

Abbreviation: IL-2
A cytokine released primarily by activated CD4+ helper T lymphocytes. It is a major mediator of T cell proliferation, promotes production of other cytokines, enhances natural killer cell function, and is a cofactor for immunoglobulin secretion. Synonym: T-cell growth factor

interleukin-3

Abbreviation: IL-3
A cytokine produced by activated T cells that promotes proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Synonym: mast cell growth factor; multi-colony stimulating factor

interleukin-4

Abbreviation: IL-4
A cytokine released by activated T cells and mast cells that stimulates B and T lymphocyte production and activity, prevents macrophages from releasing monokines, and promotes mast cell, immunoglobulin E, and eosinophil activity. Synonym: B cell growth factor; mast cell growth factor II; T-cell growth factor II

interleukin-5

Abbreviation: IL-5
A cytokine produced by T cells, eosinophils and mast cells that acts as the primary stimulant for eosinophil production. Synonym: eosinophil colony-stimulating factor; eosinophil differentiation factor See: basophil(e); eosinophil

interleukin-6

Abbreviation: IL-6
A lymphokine produced by many cell types, including mononuclear phagocytes, T cells, and endothelial cells. It mediates the acute phase response, enhances B cell production and differentiation to immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells, and stimulates megakaryocyte production. Synonym: B cell stimulatory factor II; hepatocyte stimulatory factor See: acute phase reaction; lymphokine

interleukin-7

Abbreviation: IL-7
A cytokine produced by the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow stromal cells. It stimulates growth of B-cell precursors, development of thymocytes, and activity of cytotoxic T-cells. Synonym: lymphopoietin 1; pre-B cell growth factor

interleukin-8

Abbreviation: IL-8
A cytokine produced by many cell types. It acts as a neutrophil chemoattractant.

interleukin-9

Abbreviation: IL-9
A cytokine produced by T cells. Among other functions, it promotes the proliferation and multiplication of mast cells.

interleukin-10

Abbreviation: IL-10
A cytokine derived from mononuclear phagocytes, T cells, and keratinocytes. It inhibits cytokine synthesis by macrophages, T cells, and natural killer cells, and enhances B cell growth and secretion of immunoglobulin.

interleukin-11

Abbreviation: IL-11
A cytokine produced by bone marrow stromal cells. It mediates acute phase protein synthesis, enhances B cell growth and differentiation to plasma cells, and promotes megakaryocyte production. Synonym: plasmocytoma stimulating factor

interleukin-12

Abbreviation: IL-12
A cytokine produced by mononuclear phagocytes and B cells. It induces interferon gamma production from T cells and natural killer cells, and enhances T cell and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Synonym: natural killer cell stimulating factor

interleukin-13

Abbreviation: IL-13
A cytokine produced by T cells. It induces major histocompatibility class II expression on mononuclear phagocytes and B cells, B cell proliferation, and immunoglobulin production.

interleukin-14

Abbreviation: IL-14
A cytokine produced by T lymphocytes and follicular dendritic cells. It stimulates proliferation of activated B lymphocytes and inhibits immunoglobulin secretion from activated B lymphocytes.

interleukin-15

Abbreviation: IL-15
A cytokine released by epithelial cells in the kidney, skeletal muscle, liver, lungs, heart, and bone marrow, which stimulates production of T cells, esp. cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. It can bind with interleukin-2 receptors and mimic IL-2's effects. See: interleukin-2

interleukin-16

Abbreviation: IL-16
A cytokine produced by T lymphocytes that stimulates movement of monocytes, CD4+ T cells, and eosinophils to the area. It was previously known as lymphocyte chemoattractant factor.

interleukin-17

Abbreviation: IL-17
A cytokine produced by memory T lymphocytes that stimulates the proliferation of T cells and the differentiation of neutrophils.

interleukin-18

Abbreviation: IL-18
A cytokine produced by macrophages that stimulates the production of gamma interferon and other chemical mediators that enhance cell-mediated immune responses. It is similar in structure to IL-1.