Making sense of IL-6 signalling cues in pathophysiology.

Unravelling the molecular mechanisms that account for functional pleiotropy is a major challenge for researchers in cytokine biology. Cytokine-receptor cross-reactivity and shared signalling pathways are considered primary drivers of cytokine pleiotropy. However, reports epitomized by studies of Jak-STAT cytokine signalling identify interesting biochemical and epigenetic determinants of transcription factor regulation that affect the delivery of signal-dependent cytokine responses.

Unravelling the broader complexity of IL-6 involvement in health and disease.

The classification of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a pro-inflammatory cytokine undervalues the biological impact of this cytokine in health and disease. With broad activities affecting the immune system, tissue homeostasis and metabolic processes, IL-6 displays complex biology. The significance of these involvements has become increasingly important in clinical settings where IL-6 is identified as a prominent target for therapy.