Recent insights into targeting the IL-6 cytokine family in inflammatory diseases and cancer

  • Nat Rev Immunol. 2018 Dec;18(12):773-789. doi: 10.1038/s41577-018-0066-7.
Simon A Jones  1  2 ,  Brendan J Jenkins  3  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. [email protected].
  • 2. Systems Immunity, University Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. [email protected].
  • 3. Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. [email protected].
  • 4. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. [email protected].
PMID: 30254251 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-018-0066-7
Abstract

The IL-6 family of cytokines consists of IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, IL-31, oncostatin M (OSM), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) and cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1). Membership of this cytokine family is defined by usage of common β-receptor signalling subunits, which activate various intracellular signalling pathways. Each IL-6 family member elicits responses essential to the physiological control of immune homeostasis, haematopoiesis, inflammation, development and metabolism. Accordingly, distortion of these cytokine activities often promotes chronic disease and cancer; the pathological importance of this is exemplified by the successful treatment of certain autoimmune conditions with drugs that target the IL-6 pathway. Here, we discuss the emerging roles for IL-6 family members in Infection, chronic inflammation, autoimmunity and Cancer and review therapeutic strategies designed to manipulate these cytokines in disease.

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