Interleukin-11 (IL-11) (IL-11)

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the IL-6 family that signals through a receptor complex consisting of the IL-11 receptor alpha (IL-11RA) and the signal-transducing subunit gp130 [1, 13]. While historically recognized for its role in stimulating megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production, recent research has identified IL-11 as a central driver of fibrosis and chronic inflammation across multiple organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver [2, 5, 12]. It is secreted by various cell types, such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells, in response to tissue injury, where it activates the JAK/STAT3 and ERK signaling pathways to promote myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix deposition [2, 9, 18]. In oncology, IL-11 is frequently overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment, supporting cancer cell survival, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy [3, 12, 16]. Therapeutic strategies include the use of recombinant IL-11 (oprelvekin) to treat chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, as well as the development of novel neutralizing antibodies and small molecules designed to inhibit IL-11 signaling for the treatment of fibrotic diseases and various cancers [10, 14, 20].

Other names

AGIFAdipogenesis inhibitory factorOprelvekin

Interleukin-11 receptor agonist; Neutralizing antibody targeting IL-11; Inhibition of IL-11/IL-11RA/gp130 complex formation; Blockade of downstream JAK/STAT and ERK signaling pathways.