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Interleukin-6: A comprehensive review

  • Chapter
Cytokines: Interleukins and Their Receptors

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 80))

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine which plays a prominent role in the coordinated systemic host defense response to injury. IL-6 regulates immune and inflammatory responses, hepatic acute-phase protein synthesis, hemato-poiesis, and bone metabolism. The structure of IL-6 gene and protein, and biological activities of the cytokine, are well characterized. The composition of the IL-6 receptor has been identified, and there has been substantial recent progress in the analysis of IL-6-activated signal transduction mechanisms. IL-6 expression in different disease states has been demonstrated; IL-6 may be involved as a mediator in certain aspects in the pathogenesis of infection, autoimmunity, and malignancy.

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  1. Martin Lotz M.D.
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  1. Department of Bioimmunotherapy, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Box 302, 77030, Houston, Texas, USA

    Razelle Kurzrock M.D.  & Moshe Talpaz M.D.  & 

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Lotz, M. (1995). Interleukin-6: A comprehensive review. In: Kurzrock, R., Talpaz, M. (eds) Cytokines: Interleukins and Their Receptors. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 80. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1241-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1241-3_8

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