Interleukin-6 (IL6) signalling and its role in the development of cardiovascular disease

Williams, J. J.L. and Palmer, T. M. (2012) Interleukin-6 (IL6) signalling and its role in the development of cardiovascular disease. In: Carrasco, J. and Mota, M. (eds.) Endothelium and Epithelium: Composition, Functions and Pathology. Series: Human anatomy and physiology; Cell biology research progress. Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, N.Y., pp. 157-173. ISBN 9781614708742

Abstract

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 (IL6) is elaborated by many cells involved in the development of atherosclerosis, including smooth muscle and endothelial cells as well as monocytes and T cells. In turn, IL6 controls several aspects of vascular and haematopoietic cell function that become dysregulated during the development of the chronic inflammatory phenotype that drives atherogenesis. However many studies have linked IL6 to a range of often contradictory effects on cardiovascular function. In this chapter, we will examine how the unique position of IL6 at the junction of the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its ability to signal via two biochemically distinct IL6- IL6 receptor complexes, may explain the effects ascribed to it in various models of chronic inflammatory disease. We will also assess how an increased understanding of IL6 signalling and its inhibitory regulation, particularly by suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins, might be useful in suggesting new therapeutic strategies for treatment of specific cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Williams, Dr Jamie and Palmer, Dr Timothy
• Authors: Williams, J. J.L., and Palmer, T. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Publisher: Nova Science Publishers
• ISBN: 9781614708742

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