INTERLEUKIN-6 AND THE SKIN

Interleukin-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with numerous biological activ ities. It is produced by normal constituents of the skin, including ep idermal cells, fibroblasts and dermal endothelial cells. It is also sy nthesized by inflammatory cells infiltrating the skin in various patho logical conditions. We reviewed the presumed activities of interleukin -6 in normal skin and in some diseases with cutaneous involvement. The action of some drugs used in dermatology was also considered with reg ard to the modulation of the cytokine release. It is concluded that se veral important cellular lineages of the skin release interleukin-6. T he cytokine appears to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both local and systemic inflammation, tumor development and autoimmune dis eases.