Interleukin 11

Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a cytokine (first isolated in 1990) that originates from bone marrow stroma and activates B cells and megakaryocytes.^[1] It is also known under the names Adipogenesis inhibitory factor (AGIF)^[2] and Oprelvekin.

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Compared to other interleukins, IL-11 relatively under-characterized.

The human IL-11 gene, consisting of 5 exons and 4 introns, is located on chromosome 19.^[3] IL-11 belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.

Functions

IL-11 has been demonstrated to improve platelet recovery after chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, induce acute phase proteins, modulate antigen-antibody responses, participate in the regulation of bone cell proliferation and differentiation and could be use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis. Besides from lymphopoietic/hematopoietic and osteotrophic properties, it has functions in many tissues such as brain, gut and testis. IL-11 stimulates the growth of certain lymphocytes and, in the murine model, stimulates an increase in the cortical thickness and strength of long bones.

References

1. ^ Paul,S.R., et al., Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding interleukin 11, a stromal cell-derived lymphopoietic and hematopoietic cytokine. Proceeding of the National Academy of Science U.S.A., 1990, Volume 87 pages 7512-7516.
2. ^ Kawashima,I et al., Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding adipogenesis inhibitory factor and identity with interleukin-11. FEBS Letters, 1991, Volume 283, pages 199-202.
3. ^ McKinley et al., Genomic sequence and chromosomal location of human interleukin-11 gene (IL11). Genomics, 1992, Volume 13, pages 814-819.