Immunohistochemical localization of interleukin-6 in peripheral human endocrine glands.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with differentiation and growth-promoting effects. Extensive studies in experimental animals denote that IL-6 is produced in various endocrine organs and participates in the local control of endocrine cell function. The expression of this cytokine in human endocrine glands, however, has only been examined in a limited number of studies.