Hirano T, Akira S, Taga T, Kishimoto T
Division of Immunology, Osaka University, Japan.
Immunol Today. 1990 Dec;11(12):443-9. doi: 10.1016/0167-5699(90)90173-7.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multi-functional cytokine that is produced by a range of cells and plays a central role in host defense mechanisms. Abnormal production of IL-6 has been suggested to be involved in glomerulonephritis, plasmacytomagenesis and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, Toshio Hirano and colleagues discuss the possible involvement of IL-6 in a variety of diseases, the regulatory mechanism(s) of expression of the IL-6 gene and the structure and function of the IL-6 receptor.
白细胞介素6（IL-6）是一种多功能细胞因子，由多种细胞产生，在宿主防御机制中起核心作用。已有研究表明，IL-6的异常产生与肾小球肾炎、浆细胞瘤发生及自身免疫性疾病的发病机制有关。在这篇综述中，平野敏夫及其同事讨论了IL-6在多种疾病中的可能作用、IL-6基因表达的调控机制以及IL-6受体的结构和功能。
