Wolvekamp M C, Marquet R L
Department of Surgery, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Immunol Lett. 1990 Mar-Apr;24(1):1-9. doi: 10.1016/0165-2478(90)90028-o.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine previously known as B cell stimulatory factor (BSF-2), interferon-beta 2 (IFN-beta 2), 26-kDa protein, and hepatocyte stimulating factor (HSF). The name IL-6 was proposed when the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs for these proteins had been determined and the molecules were found to be identical. IL-6 production can be induced by a wide variety of agents in a wide range of cells, although IL-6 gene expression seems to be regulated in a tissue and stimulus specific manner. At least 3 different signal pathways regulate IL-6 gene expression, emphasizing its multiply inducible nature. The currently known activities of IL-6 include regulatory functions in hematopoiesis, immune reactions and acute phase responses. IL-6 appears to be a key member of the IL family; however, it is still poorly understood how IL-6 interacts with other lymphokines within the network. The anti-viral activity of IL-6 seems to be negligible. Elevated IL-6 levels have been found in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma and systemic lupus erythematosus. The abnormal expression and dysregulation of IL-6 in certain disorders may be a typical feature of this cytokine, making it the first cytokine that may be directly related to pathogenesis.
白细胞介素-6（IL-6）是一种多效性细胞因子，以前被称为B细胞刺激因子（BSF-2）、干扰素-β2（IFN-β2）、26 kDa蛋白和肝细胞刺激因子（HSF）。当这些蛋白质的cDNA核苷酸序列被确定且发现这些分子相同时，提出了IL-6这个名称。尽管IL-6基因表达似乎以组织和刺激特异性方式受到调控，但多种细胞中的多种因子均可诱导IL-6的产生。至少有3种不同的信号通路调节IL-6基因表达，这突出了其多重诱导性质。目前已知IL-6的活性包括在造血、免疫反应和急性期反应中的调节功能。IL-6似乎是白细胞介素家族的关键成员；然而，对于IL-6如何在该网络中与其他淋巴因子相互作用仍知之甚少。IL-6的抗病毒活性似乎可以忽略不计。在类风湿性关节炎、多发性骨髓瘤和系统性红斑狼疮等疾病中发现IL-6水平升高。IL-6在某些疾病中的异常表达和失调可能是这种细胞因子的典型特征，使其成为第一个可能与发病机制直接相关的细胞因子。
