Interleukin 6 News and Research

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Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the "IL6" gene. IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response to trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage leading to inflammation.

Study shows BCG vaccine provides no protection against SARS-CoV-2 in mice and hamsters

Researchers investigated the effectiveness of the BCG vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infections using three animal models.

23 Feb 2022

Poor sleep increases severity of viral respiratory infections including COVID-19

A new study explores the risk of respiratory infection with poor sleep in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Feb 2022

Gradual decline in pathogenicity and enhanced cytokine induction in SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study focuses on understanding the factors associated with the ability of the Omicron variant to infect a wide range of age groups.

20 Feb 2022

Response of peripheral immune cells to ex vivo SARS-CoV-2 exposure compared to SARS-CoV

Researchers characterized the responses of the PBMCs at the individual cell and cell type levels against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV ex vivo.

18 Feb 2022

Novel promising biomarker correlates with the severity of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

There is currently no effective treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common neuromuscular diseases, which is caused by an abnormal expression of the transcription factor DUX4.

15 Feb 2022

Cardiovascular markers for predicting clinical outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Toronto, Canada, characterized the markers of endothelial function and developed micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression atlas in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive and -negative patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

15 Feb 2022

γ’ fibrinogen as a disease progression marker for COVID-19

Levels of the inflammatory biomarker gamma prime fibrinogen (γ' Fbg) varies according to severity in COVID-19 patients.

28 Jan 2022

T-cell apoptosis linked to poor prognosis among COVID-19 patients

Researchers assess the probability of T-cell apoptosis in patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to the hospital.

26 Jan 2022

Machine learning model for prediction of COVID-19 patient mortality risk

A new preprint reports a novel machine learning model that purportedly predicts the mortality risk of COVID-19 in patients accurately and at an early stage of infection.

18 Jan 2022

WHO's recommendation provides two new options for treating COVID-19

WHO has recommended two new drugs for COVID-19, providing yet more options for treating the disease. The extent to which these medicines will save lives depends on how widely available and affordable they will be.

16 Jan 2022

Impact of post-exposure BNT162b2 prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infections

In a new study, researchers determined evidence for post-exposure vaccination in reducing the mortality rate of COVID-19 and concluded that post-exposure prophylaxis successfully decreased SARS-CoV-2-associated death rates.

11 Jan 2022

Exploring the Mediterranean diet as a potential strategy against SARS-CoV-2

A study found that the Mediterranean diet, when combined with non-smoking and regular physical activity, can lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

22 Dec 2021

Long-term characteristics of long-COVID following hospitalization

A new study demonstrates the urgent need for healthcare services to support this huge and quickly growing patient population, which has a significant burden of symptoms, lower exercise ability, and significant reductions in health-related quality of life after one year.

17 Dec 2021

Bioinformatics pipeline can be used to quickly identify SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics

In a new study, researchers developed a bioinformatics pipeline that uses RNA sequencing data to identify altered genes and signaling pathways affected by viral infection.

13 Dec 2021

Convalescent plasma not recommended for patients with covid-19, WHO experts say

Convalescent plasma (a transfusion of blood plasma from someone who has recovered from covid-19) is not recommended for patients with covid-19, says a WHO Guideline Development Group of international experts in The BMJ today.

7 Dec 2021

Giving social support to others may play an important role in health

When it comes to your health, being willing to give social support to your spouse, friends and family may be just as important as receiving assistance, a new study suggests.

22 Nov 2021

Paper-based innovations for COVID-19 diagnosis

A review discusses paper-based devices and platforms targeting SARS-CoV-2 for low-cost PoC diagnosis and serological antibody testing.

22 Nov 2021

Researchers receive $22 million grant for clinical trial that aims to reduce lung transplant rejection

Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston have received a seven-year, $22 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health to help lead a multicenter clinical trial evaluating whether a novel immunosuppressant can reduce the risk of organ rejection after a lung transplant.

18 Nov 2021

Scientists identify new gene that contributes to type 1 diabetes progression

When the pro-inflammatory pair, a receptor called CCR2 and its ligand CCL-2, get together, it increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, scientists report.

16 Nov 2021