Interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) also known as CD126 (Cluster of Differentiation 126) is a
type I cytokine receptor.
Function
Interleukin 6
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine. In humans, it is encoded by the ''IL6'' gene.
In addition, osteoblasts secrete IL-6 to stimulate osteoclast formation. Smoo ...
(IL6) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation and plays an important role in immune response. Dysregulated production of IL6 and this receptor are implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as
multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM), also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibody, antibodies. Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. As it progresses, bone ...
,
autoimmune disease
An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. It is estimated tha ...
s and
prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the neoplasm, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of the prostate tissue is usually detected through Screening (medicine), screening tests, ...
.
In
melanocyte
Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural-crest, neural crest-derived cell (biology), cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis (skin), epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea),
the inner ear,
vagina ...
s IL6R gene expression may be regulated by
MITF.
Structure
The IL6 receptor is a protein complex consisting of an IL-6 receptor subunit (IL6R) and interleukin 6 signal transducer
Glycoprotein 130
Glycoprotein 130 (also known as gp130, IL6ST, IL6R-beta or CD130) is a transmembrane protein which is the founding member of the class of tall cytokine receptors. It forms one subunit of the type I cytokine receptor within the IL-6 receptor ...
. IL6R also denotes the human
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
encoding this subunit. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.
IL6R subunit is also shared by many other cytokines.
Interactions
Interleukin-6 receptor has been shown to
interact with
Interleukin 6
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine. In humans, it is encoded by the ''IL6'' gene.
In addition, osteoblasts secrete IL-6 to stimulate osteoclast formation. Smoo ...
and
ciliary neurotrophic factor
Ciliary neurotrophic factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CNTF'' gene.
The protein encoded by this gene is a polypeptide hormone and neurotrophic factor whose actions have mainly been studied in the nervous system where it pro ...
.
See also
* Cluster of differentiation
The cluster of differentiation (also known as cluster of designation or classification determinant and often abbreviated as CD) is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules providing targets for immunophe ...
* Anti-IL-6
** Tocilizumab
Tocilizumab, sold under the brand name Actemra among others, is an immunosuppressive drug, used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, giant cell arter ...
, a monoclonal antibody against IL6R
** Sarilumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL6R
** LMT-28, a small molecule antagonist of IL6R
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Interleukin-6 Receptor
Type I cytokine receptors
Clusters of differentiation