This gene encodes a cytokine that functions in inflammation and the maturation of B cells. In addition, the encoded protein has been shown to be an endogenous pyrogen capable of inducing fever in people with autoimmune diseases or infections. The protein is primarily produced at sites of acute and chronic inflammation, where it is secreted into the serum and induces a transcriptional inflammatory response through interleukin 6 receptor, alpha. The functioning of this gene is implicated in a wide variety of inflammation-associated disease states, including suspectibility to diabetes mellitus and systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2011]

IL6: Cytokine with a wide variety of biological functions. It is a potent inducer of the acute phase response. Plays an essential role in the final differentiation of B-cells into Ig- secreting cells Involved in lymphocyte and monocyte differentiation. It induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth and induces nerve cells differentiation Acts on B-cells, T-cells, hepatocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells and cells of the CNS. Also acts as a myokine. It is discharged into the bloodstream after muscle contraction and acts to increase the breakdown of fats and to improve insulin resistance. Genetic variations in IL6 are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis systemic juvenile (RASJ). An inflammatory articular disorder with systemic- onset beginning before the age of 16. It represents a subgroup of juvenile arthritis associated with severe extraarticular features and occasionally fatal complications. During active phases of the disorder, patients display a typical daily spiking fever, an evanescent macular rash, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, serositis, myalgia and arthritis. A IL6 promoter polymorphism is associated with a lifetime risk of development of Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-infected men. Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.

Protein type: Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 7p21

Cellular Component: extracellular space; cytoplasm; extracellular region; interleukin-6 receptor complex; external side of plasma membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; interleukin-6 receptor binding; growth factor activity; cytokine activity

Biological Process: positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process; positive regulation of apoptosis; negative regulation of collagen biosynthetic process; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; response to glucocorticoid stimulus; negative regulation of cytokine secretion; positive regulation of JAK-STAT cascade; positive regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis; bone remodeling; glucose homeostasis; activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor; positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 protein; response to caffeine; response to antibiotic; muscle maintenance; monocyte chemotaxis; regulation of cell shape; positive regulation of T-helper 2 cell differentiation; positive regulation of acute inflammatory response; negative regulation of gluconeogenesis; acute-phase response; positive regulation of T cell proliferation; response to electrical stimulus; cell growth; defense response to virus; neurite development; response to drug; platelet activation; positive regulation of protein import into nucleus, translocation; positive regulation of interleukin-6 production; negative regulation of fat cell differentiation; response to amino acid stimulus; defense response to protozoan; positive regulation of chemokine production; positive regulation of peptidyl-tyrosine phosphorylation; defense response to Gram-positive bacterium; cell redox homeostasis; response to heat; positive regulation of B cell activation; negative regulation of protein kinase activity; neutrophil apoptosis; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of transcription factor activity; response to calcium ion; positive regulation of epithelial cell proliferation; negative regulation of apoptosis; negative regulation of muscle development; positive regulation of translation; positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation; negative regulation of hormone secretion; neutrophil mediated immunity; negative regulation of caspase activity; regulation of circadian sleep/wake cycle, non-REM sleep; defense response to Gram-negative bacterium; response to insulin stimulus; negative regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of MAPKKK cascade; response to peptidoglycan; positive regulation of cell proliferation; hepatic immune response; inflammatory response; aging; negative regulation of chemokine biosynthetic process; response to nutrient levels; cytokine and chemokine mediated signaling pathway; positive regulation of immunoglobulin secretion; regulation of angiogenesis; positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation; endocrine pancreas development; humoral immune response; positive regulation of osteoblast differentiation; positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling cascade; response to cold; positive regulation of neuron differentiation; positive regulation of DNA replication; positive regulation of transmission of nerve impulse

Disease: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Juvenile; Arteriovenous Malformations Of The Brain; Kaposi Sarcoma, Susceptibility To; Inflammatory Bowel Disease 1