Barkhudaryan N, Dunn A J
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
Neurochem Res. 1999 Sep;24(9):1169-80. doi: 10.1023/a:1020720722209.
Biological activities of the multifunctional cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) include stimulation of B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin production, and initiation of the acute-phase response. IL-6 affects the CNS in that it activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and increases brain tryptophan and serotonin metabolism. IL-6 has been proposed as an important mediator of interaction between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The peripheral and central effects of IL-6 are presumably mediated through its membrane receptor (IL-6R). IL-6, IL-6R and their respective mRNAs have been detected in several brain regions. Although the functions of cytokines overlap considerably, each displays its own characteristic properties. Expression of IL-6 in the brain has been observed in several CNS disorders, some of which have been associated with disorders of serotonin metabolism. It is proposed that interactions between IL-6 and brain serotonin is a complex process which involves corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and opioid peptides. It is likely that the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of IL-6 on the HPA axis and its other brain functions involve the integrated effects of glutamate, Ca2+, 3',5'-cyclic AMP, protein kinase C, and other metabolic pathways.
多功能细胞因子白细胞介素-6（IL-6）的生物学活性包括刺激B细胞增殖、免疫球蛋白产生以及启动急性期反应。IL-6影响中枢神经系统，因为它激活下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺皮质（HPA）轴并增加脑内色氨酸和血清素代谢。IL-6被认为是神经内分泌系统与免疫系统相互作用的重要介质。IL-6的外周和中枢作用可能是通过其膜受体（IL-6R）介导的。在几个脑区已检测到IL-6、IL-6R及其各自的mRNA。尽管细胞因子的功能有很大重叠，但每种都有其自身的特性。在几种中枢神经系统疾病中已观察到脑内IL-6的表达，其中一些与血清素代谢紊乱有关。有人提出IL-6与脑血清素之间的相互作用是一个复杂的过程，涉及促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子（CRF）和阿片肽。IL-6对HPA轴及其它脑功能作用的分子机制可能涉及谷氨酸、Ca2+、3',5'-环磷酸腺苷、蛋白激酶C及其他代谢途径的综合作用。
