Role of IL-6 in asthma and other inflammatory pulmonary diseases

Int J Biol Sci. 2012;8(9):1281-90. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.4874. Epub 2012 Oct 25.

Abstract

The incidence and severity of chronic lung diseases is growing and affects between 100 and 150 million people worldwide and is associated with a significant rate of mortality. Unfortunately, the initial cause that triggers most chronic lung diseases remains unknown and current available therapies only ameliorate, but do not cure the disease. Thus, there is a need for identification of new targets and development of novel therapies especially for those most severely affected. IL-6, like other inflammatory cytokines, has been shown to be elevated in different lung diseases, but it was considered a byproduct of ongoing inflammation in the lung. However, recent studies support a dissociation of IL-6 from inflammation in the lung and suggest that this cytokine plays an active role in pathogenesis of asthma and, in all likelihood, COPD. IL-6 may therefore be a germane target for treatment of these and other chronic lung disease. Here, we provide an overview of the studies in mouse models and human patients that provide support for the involvement of IL-6 in lung diseases.

Keywords: IL-6; chronic lung diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / genetics
  • Lung Diseases / metabolism*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Mice
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / genetics
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / pathology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / physiology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6