IL-6Rα/CD126 [MD413]

Interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) is a heterodimeric complex that consists of a ligand-binding subunit IL-6Rα (CD126) and a signal transducer IL-6Rβ (IL-6ST/gp130). IL-6 is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation and plays an important role in the immune response. Binding of IL-6 to IL-6Rα results in receptor dimerization with gp130 and subsequent STAT3 activation. IL-6Rα is cleaved from the cell surface by ADAM17. In humans, soluble IL-6Rα is also generated via alternatively spliced mRNA. Soluble IL-6Rα binding to IL-6 can stimulate signaling via membrane bound gp130 in the trans-signaling process. Dysregulated production of IL-6 and this receptor are implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as multiple myeloma, autoimmune diseases and prostate cancer.