Pro-inflammatory signaling cytokine
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About IL-6
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About IL-6
Overview and History
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine — a secreted glycoprotein produced by macrophages, T cells, adipocytes, endothelial cells, and others. First described in the 1970s as a B‑cell stimulatory factor, IL‑6 binds the IL‑6 receptor and activates intracellular JAK/STAT signaling to change gene expression in target cells.
Biologically, IL‑6 helps coordinate the acute‑phase response in the liver, stimulates production of proteins like CRP, influences glucose and lipid metabolism, and affects immune cell differentiation. It acts via both classical (membrane receptor) and trans‑signaling pathways, producing local and systemic effects relevant to inflammation, metabolism, and vascular biology.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Elevated IL‑6 typically reflects active inflammatory signaling from causes such as infection, recent tissue injury, adiposity-related metabolic stress, or chronic inflammatory processes, and often parallels rises in hs‑CRP and other inflammatory markers. Persistently higher IL‑6 values are associated with patterns of metabolic and vascular stress, but their meaning depends on concurrent lipid, oxidative stress, endothelial, genetic, and clinical data. Low or near‑undetectable IL‑6 is common in healthy, resting individuals and suggests low circulating inflammatory drive; very low levels can also occur with immune suppression or technical factors. IL‑6 should always be interpreted within the full Cardio Zoomer panel and the clinical context.
Featured Test
IL‑6 is included in Cardio Zoomer as a direct measure of inflammatory signaling. It helps determine whether inflammation is a likely contributor to vascular and metabolic strain when viewed alongside hs‑CRP, lipid particle measures, oxidative stress, and endothelial markers, informing clinician decisions about targeted follow‑up and monitoring.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
