IL-11 & IL-11 R alpha

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates megakaryocytopoiesis, resulting in increased production of platelets, as well as activating osteoclasts, inhibiting epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, and inhibiting macrophage mediator production. These functions may be particularly important in mediating the hematopoietic, osseous and mucosal protective effects of IL-11. The cytokine also possesses anti-inflammatory activity, and has been proposed as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The receptor systems for IL6, LIF, OSM, CNTF, IL11 and CT1 can utilize IL6ST for initiating signal transmission. The IL11/IL11RA/IL6ST complex may be involved in the control of proliferation and/or differentiation of skeletogenic progenitor or other mesenchymal cells. Soluble form of IL11 receptor (sIL11RA) that acts as an agonist of IL11 activity. The IL11:sIL11RA complex binds to IL6ST/gp130 on cell surfaces and induces signaling also on cells that do not express membrane-bound IL11RA in a process.