NCIt definition : Soluble interleukin-6 receptor subunit alpha is encoded by the human IL6R gene. This
protein, which is produced by metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage of the membrane-bound
form, is involved in the modulation of interleukin-6-mediated signaling by CD4-positive
T-lymphocytes.;
NCIt note : Interleukin-6 (IL6) can bind membrane-bound and soluble forms of the interleukin-6
receptor subunit alpha (IL6R) with similar affinities. IL6-soluble IL6R complexes
can interact with either membrane-bound or soluble forms of interleukin-6 receptor
subunit beta (IL6ST; gp130). Binding of IL6-sIL6R to membrane-bound gp130 promotes
IL6-mediated signaling pathways (IL-6 trans-signaling), while binding to soluble gp130
inhibits IL-6 trans-signaling.;