Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:12
Time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Assays for Measurement of Endogenous Phosphorylated STAT Proteins in Human Cells
Published on: September 9, 2021
Interleukin-6 signalling: more than Jaks and STATs
René Eulenfeld1, Anna Dittrich, Christina Khouri
1Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
European Journal of Cell Biology
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) activates STAT-independent pathways beyond Janus kinase (Jak)/STAT signalling. Understanding IL-6
Area of Science:
- Cellular signalling
- Immunology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Cytokine signalling, particularly via the Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, is crucial for many biological processes.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key cytokine involved in both physiological functions and inflammatory and proliferative diseases.
- While Jak/STAT pathway activation is well-studied, other IL-6-induced pathways also play significant roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarise current knowledge on STAT-independent pathways activated by Interleukin-6 (IL-6).
- To explore the crosstalk between IL-6-induced STAT-independent pathways and the Jak/STAT pathway.
- To highlight remaining questions regarding these complex signalling networks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cytokine signalling, focusing on IL-6.
- Analysis of experimental approaches for studying intra-cytokine pathway crosstalk.
- Comparison of methods for studying inter-cytokine crosstalk versus intra-cytokine crosstalk.
Main Results:
- Cytokines activate multiple signalling pathways beyond the canonical Jak/STAT pathway.
- IL-6 activates STAT-independent pathways that are critical for its physiological and pathophysiological functions.
- Intra-cytokine crosstalk, involving multiple pathways initiated by a single cytokine like IL-6, requires sophisticated experimental strategies.
Conclusions:
- STAT-independent pathways are integral to IL-6 function and disease pathogenesis.
- Understanding the crosstalk between IL-6-induced pathways is essential for a comprehensive view of cytokine signalling.
- Further research employing advanced techniques is needed to fully elucidate intra-cytokine crosstalk mechanisms.
More Related Videos
11:00Multiplex Cytokine Profiling of Stimulated Mouse Splenocytes Using a Cytometric Bead-based Immunoassay Platform
Published on: November 9, 2017
10:21Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Associated with Lung Adenocarcinoma: Probing the Potential Common Pathogenic Mechanisms and Experimental Verification
Published on: September 20, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
02:26NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...