The Many Faces of Interleukin-6 : The Role of IL-6 in Inflammation, Vasculopathy, and Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract EN

Interleukin-6 is currently attracting significant interest as a potential therapeutic target in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

In this paper, the biology of interleukin-6 is reviewed, and the evidence for interleukin-6 dysregulation in SSc is explored.

The role of inteleukin-6 classical and trans signalling pathways in SSc relevant phenomena such as chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, endothelial cell dysfunction, and fibrogenesis is discussed.

The existing evidence that interventions designed to block interleukin-6 signalling are of therapeutic relevance in SSc is evaluated.