Interleukin 11
Encyclopedia
Interleukin 11 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the IL11 gene
.
IL-11 is a multifunctional cytokine
first isolated in 1990 from bone marrow
-derived stromal cells. It is a key regulator of multiple events in hematopoiesis, most notably the stimulation of megakaryocyte
maturation. It is also known under the names adipogenesis inhibitory factor (AGIF) and oprelvekin
.
Compared to other interleukin
s, IL-11 relatively under-characterized.
The human IL-11 gene
, consisting of 5 exon
s and 4 intron
s, is located on chromosome
19, and encodes a 23 kDa protein. IL-11 is a member of the IL-6-type cytokine family, distinguished based on their use of the common co-receptor gp130
. Signal specificity is provided by the IL-11Ralpha subunit.
kinases to become activated and phosphorylate intracellular tyrosine residues on gp130.
recovery after chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
, induce acute phase protein
s, modulate antigen-antibody responses, participate in the regulation of bone cell proliferation
and differentiation and could be use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis
. IL-11 stimulates the growth of certain lymphocyte
s and, in the murine model, stimulates an increase in the cortical thickness and strength of long bones. In addition to having lymphopoietic/hematopoietic and osteotrophic properties, it has functions in many other tissues, including the brain, gut, testis and bone.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the IL11 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
IL-11 is a multifunctional cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
first isolated in 1990 from bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
-derived stromal cells. It is a key regulator of multiple events in hematopoiesis, most notably the stimulation of megakaryocyte
Megakaryocyte
The megakaryocyte is a bone marrow cell responsible for the production of blood thrombocytes , which are necessary for normal blood clotting...
maturation. It is also known under the names adipogenesis inhibitory factor (AGIF) and oprelvekin
Oprelvekin
Oprelvekin is recombinant interleukin eleven , a thrombopoietic growth factor that directly stimulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells and induces megakaryocyte maturation resulting in increased platelet production...
.
Compared to other interleukin
Interleukin
Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells . The term interleukin derives from "as a means of communication", and "deriving from the fact that many of these proteins are produced by leukocytes and act on leukocytes"...
s, IL-11 relatively under-characterized.
The human IL-11 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
, consisting of 5 exon
Exon
An exon is a nucleic acid sequence that is represented in the mature form of an RNA molecule either after portions of a precursor RNA have been removed by cis-splicing or when two or more precursor RNA molecules have been ligated by trans-splicing. The mature RNA molecule can be a messenger RNA...
s and 4 intron
Intron
An intron is any nucleotide sequence within a gene that is removed by RNA splicing to generate the final mature RNA product of a gene. The term intron refers to both the DNA sequence within a gene, and the corresponding sequence in RNA transcripts. Sequences that are joined together in the final...
s, is located on chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
19, and encodes a 23 kDa protein. IL-11 is a member of the IL-6-type cytokine family, distinguished based on their use of the common co-receptor gp130
Glycoprotein 130
Glycoprotein 130 is a transmembrane protein which is the founding member of the class of all cytokine receptors. It forms one subunit of type I cytokine receptors within the IL-6 receptor family...
. Signal specificity is provided by the IL-11Ralpha subunit.
Downstream signalling
Signal transduction is initiated upon binding of IL-11 to IL-11Ralpha and gp130, facilitating the homodimerization of gp130 molecules. This permits gp130-associated JAKJak
Jak may refer to:*JAK, Jazakomu Allahu Khayran *JAK members bank, a Swedish interest-free bank*Janus kinase, an intracellular signaling molecule; component of the JAK-STAT signal system...
kinases to become activated and phosphorylate intracellular tyrosine residues on gp130.
Function
IL-11 has been demonstrated to improve plateletPlatelet
Platelets, or thrombocytes , are small,irregularly shaped clear cell fragments , 2–3 µm in diameter, which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes. The average lifespan of a platelet is normally just 5 to 9 days...
recovery after chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a relative decrease of platelets in blood.A normal human platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. These limits are determined by the 2.5th lower and upper percentile, so values outside this range do not necessarily indicate disease...
, induce acute phase protein
Acute phase protein
Acute-phase proteins are a class of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation...
s, modulate antigen-antibody responses, participate in the regulation of bone cell proliferation
Cell growth
The term cell growth is used in the contexts of cell development and cell division . When used in the context of cell division, it refers to growth of cell populations, where one cell grows and divides to produce two "daughter cells"...
and differentiation and could be use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
. IL-11 stimulates the growth of certain lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.Under the microscope, lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells...
s and, in the murine model, stimulates an increase in the cortical thickness and strength of long bones. In addition to having lymphopoietic/hematopoietic and osteotrophic properties, it has functions in many other tissues, including the brain, gut, testis and bone.