Interleukin-6 as a key player in systemic inflammation and joint destruction

TY - JOUR

T1 - Interleukin-6 as a key player in systemic inflammation and joint destruction

AU - Fonseca, J. E.

AU - Santos, M. J.

AU - Canhao, H.

AU - Choy, E.

PY - 2009/6

Y1 - 2009/6

N2 - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that can facilitate autoimmune phenomena, amplify acute inflammation and promote the evolution into a chronic inflammatory state. In addition, it is a major promoter of bone resorption in pathological conditions. In particular, IL-6 has a pivotal role in synovitis, bone erosions and in the systemic features of inflammation. This cytokine specifically binds to IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), forming the IL-6/IL-6R complex that binds to gp130, a membrane-bound protein, which is involved in non-ligand-binding signal transduction. Targeting IL-6R in both animal models of arthritis and in rheumatoid arthritis patients with a humanized anti IL-6R monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) effectively controls local and systemic inflammatory manifestations and blocks cartilage and bone destruction. Given the pleiotropic function of IL-6 it can be anticipated that other inflammatory diseases and bone metabolic conditions might benefit from selective IL-6 signaling inhibition. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AB - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that can facilitate autoimmune phenomena, amplify acute inflammation and promote the evolution into a chronic inflammatory state. In addition, it is a major promoter of bone resorption in pathological conditions. In particular, IL-6 has a pivotal role in synovitis, bone erosions and in the systemic features of inflammation. This cytokine specifically binds to IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), forming the IL-6/IL-6R complex that binds to gp130, a membrane-bound protein, which is involved in non-ligand-binding signal transduction. Targeting IL-6R in both animal models of arthritis and in rheumatoid arthritis patients with a humanized anti IL-6R monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) effectively controls local and systemic inflammatory manifestations and blocks cartilage and bone destruction. Given the pleiotropic function of IL-6 it can be anticipated that other inflammatory diseases and bone metabolic conditions might benefit from selective IL-6 signaling inhibition. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

U2 - 10.1016/j.autrev.2009.01.012

DO - 10.1016/j.autrev.2009.01.012

M3 - Article

VL - 8

SP - 538

EP - 542

JO - AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS

JF - AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS

IS - 7

ER -