IL-6 trans-signaling via the soluble IL-6 receptor: importance for the pro-inflammatory activities of IL-6. 2012

Stefan Rose-John
Institute of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. rosejohn@biochem.uni-kiel.de

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine with many activities. It has functions in the regulation of the immune system and the nervous system. Furthermore, IL-6 is involved in liver regeneration and in the metabolic control of the body. On target cells, IL-6 binds to an 80 kDa IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). The complex of IL-6 and IL-6R associates with a second protein, gp130, which thereupon dimerizes and initiates intracellular signaling. Whereas gp130 is expressed on all cells, IL-6R is only present on few cells in the body including hepatocytes and some leukocytes. Cells, which do not express IL-6R cannot respond to the cytokine, since gp130 alone has no measurable affinity for IL-6. Interestingly, a soluble form of IL-6R (sIL-6R) comprising the extracellular portion of the receptor can bind IL-6 with a similar affinity as the membrane bound IL-6R. The complex of IL-6 and sIL-6R can bind to gp130 on cells, which do not express the IL-6R, and which are unresponsive to IL-6. This process has been called trans-signaling. Here I will review published evidence that IL-6 trans-signaling is pro-inflammatory whereas classic IL-6 signaling via the membrane bound IL-6R is needed for regenerative or anti-inflammatory activities of the cytokine. Furthermore, the detailed knowledge of IL-6 biology has important consequences for therapeutic strategies aimed at the blockade of the cytokine IL-6.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008822 Mice, Transgenic Laboratory mice that have been produced from a genetically manipulated EGG or EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Transgenic Mice,Founder Mice, Transgenic,Mouse, Founder, Transgenic,Mouse, Transgenic,Mice, Transgenic Founder,Transgenic Founder Mice,Transgenic Mouse
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012995 Solubility The ability of a substance to be dissolved, i.e. to form a solution with another substance. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Solubilities
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D015850 Interleukin-6 A cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of B-LYMPHOCYTES and is also a growth factor for HYBRIDOMAS and plasmacytomas. It is produced by many different cells including T-LYMPHOCYTES; MONOCYTES; and FIBROBLASTS. Hepatocyte-Stimulating Factor,Hybridoma Growth Factor,IL-6,MGI-2,Myeloid Differentiation-Inducing Protein,Plasmacytoma Growth Factor,B Cell Stimulatory Factor-2,B-Cell Differentiation Factor,B-Cell Differentiation Factor-2,B-Cell Stimulatory Factor 2,B-Cell Stimulatory Factor-2,BSF-2,Differentiation Factor, B-Cell,Differentiation Factor-2, B-Cell,IFN-beta 2,IL6,Interferon beta-2,B Cell Differentiation Factor,B Cell Differentiation Factor 2,B Cell Stimulatory Factor 2,Differentiation Factor 2, B Cell,Differentiation Factor, B Cell,Differentiation-Inducing Protein, Myeloid,Growth Factor, Hybridoma,Growth Factor, Plasmacytoma,Hepatocyte Stimulating Factor,Interferon beta 2,Interleukin 6,Myeloid Differentiation Inducing Protein,beta-2, Interferon
D050822 Cytokine Receptor gp130 A cytokine receptor that contains extracellular FIBRONECTIN TYPE III DOMAINS which mediate its function through the formation of oligomeric complexes with itself, or with a variety of CYTOKINE RECEPTORS. It does not bind IL-6, but activates JANUS KINASES and STAT3 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR. Antigens, CD130,CD130 Antigens,IL-6 Family Receptor gp130,IL-6 Receptor Signal Transducer gp130,IL6ST gp130,Interleukin-6 Receptor Subunit Beta,Signal Transducer gp130,Signal-Transducing Receptor gp130,Soluble Glycoprotein 130,Soluble gp130,gp130 IL-6 Family Receptor,gp130 Signal Transducer,gp130 Transducing Protein,sgp130,Glycoprotein 130, Soluble,Interleukin 6 Receptor Subunit Beta,Receptor gp130, Signal-Transducing,Signal Transducer, gp130,Signal Transducing Receptor gp130,gp130 IL 6 Family Receptor,gp130, Cytokine Receptor,gp130, Signal Transducer,gp130, Signal-Transducing Receptor,gp130, Soluble
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D019947 Receptors, Interleukin-6 Cell surface receptors that are specific for INTERLEUKIN-6. They are present on T-LYMPHOCYTES, mitogen-activated B-LYMPHOCYTES, and peripheral MONOCYTES. The receptors are heterodimers of the INTERLEUKIN-6 RECEPTOR ALPHA SUBUNIT and the CYTOKINE RECEPTOR GP130. IL-6 Receptors,Interleukin-6 Receptor,Interleukin-6 Receptors,Receptors, IL-6,IL-6 Receptor,IL6 Receptor,IL6 Receptors,Interleukin 6 Receptor,IL 6 Receptor,IL 6 Receptors,Interleukin 6 Receptors,Receptor, IL-6,Receptor, IL6,Receptor, Interleukin 6,Receptor, Interleukin-6,Receptors, IL 6,Receptors, IL6,Receptors, Interleukin 6

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