Description
IL6 is produced by many different cell types. The main sources in vivo are stimulated monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Macrophages, T-cells and B-lymphocytes, granulocytes, smooth muscle cells, eosinophils, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, mast cells, glial cells, and keratinocytes also produce IL6 after stimulation. IL6 is a member of a family of cytokines, which also includes LIF, CNTF, Oncostatin M, IL11, and CT- 1. All known members of the IL6 cytokine family induce hepatic expression of acute phase proteins. The IL6 receptor is expressed on T-cells, mitogen-activated B-cells, peripheral monocytes and some macrophage- and B-cell derived tumor cell types. It is not expressed in resting B-cells but in resting T- cells. The IL6 receptor is a strongly glycosylated protein of 80 kDa and a length of 449 amino acids. It has been designated CD126