Multifactorial expression of IL-6 with update on COVID-19 and the therapeutic strategies of its blockade (Review)

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Multifactorial expression of IL-6 with update on COVID-19 and the therapeutic strategies of its blockade (Review) Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2021 Mar;21(3):263. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9693. Epub 2021 Jan 25. ABSTRACT Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by various cells of the human body (macrophages, lymphocytes, astrocytes, ischemic myocytes, endothelial cells) has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, being a key component in regulating various physiologic and pathological processes. The structure of this molecule and the receptor system it possesses are important due to the different activities that IL-6 can exert; through trans-signaling pro-inflammatory activities are mediated, while through classic signaling, IL-6 is responsible for anti-inflammatory and regenerative activities. IL-6 signaling is involved in coronary artery disease and the global COVID-19 pandemic. This proatherogenic cytokine reaches elevated serum levels in the cytokine storm generated by SARS-CoV-2, and is also associated with smoking or obesity-classic cardiova scular risk factors which promote inflammatory states. IL-6 levels are proportionally correlated with dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose dysregulation, and they are associated with poor outcomes in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. IL-6 targeting for treatment development (not only) in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 is still a matter of ongoing research, although tocilizumab has proven to be effective in reducing the proatherogenic effects of IL-6 and is suggested to improve COVID-19 patient survival. PMID:33603870 | PMC:PMC7851683 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.9693 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.