Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Isolation, Characterization and Functional Examination of the Gingival Immune Cell Network
Published on: February 16, 2016
Interleukin-6 in oral diseases: a review
L Nibali1, S Fedele, F D'Aiuto
1Periodontology Unit and Department of Clinical Research, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, UK. l.nibali@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleomorphic cytokine involved in a number of physiologic and pathologic processes including response to trauma and infection and development and progression of inflammation and malignancy. IL-6 is emerging as an important mediator and novel therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. The present study reviews the available evidence regarding the association between IL-6 and a range of oral diseases including infections (periodontal disease and endodontic infections), immunologically mediated disorders (oral lichen planus and Sjögren's syndrome) and malignancy (oral cancer and precancer). The role of common genetic variants of IL-6 in determining individual susceptibility to certain oral diseases, as well as novel therapeutic strategies based on IL-6 inhibition are also discussed.
Related Concept Videos
The Oral Microbiota
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

