IL-6, also known as Interferon-beta2 (as well as many other names), is a multifunctional protein involved in most immunological processes. Expressed by most immunological and non-immunological cell types, IL-6 is heavily involved in all stages of inflammation. It is triggered by foreign antigen, viruses, IL-1, TNF, PDGF, and others signals.

The effects of activation are numerous and varied. It is best known for it’s growth and differentiation effects on both T-cells and B-cells. In T-cells it promotes both thymic and peripheral differentiation of cytotoxic T-cells. IL-6 is a potent growth factor for B-cells but also results in differentiation into plasma cells and production of antibodies. Within the liver, IL-6 promotes growth and production of acute phase proteins.

Because of it’s critical role in numerous events, IL-6 also appears to be directly involved in the development of some diseases. Elevated IL-6 has been found in various autoimmune disorders, various cancers, and can be related to infection induced tissue damage.

In summary, IL-6 is one of the most important cytokines to test. Predominantly involved in inflammation, it also plays a strong role in chronic diseases, autoimmunity, angiogenesis, hematopoiesis, TH1/TH2 differentiation, neurogenesis, etc. It is related to just about every type of research and is logically multiplexed with any other cytokine.