{"title":"Interleukin-6 trans-signalling as a selectively targetable driver of neurodegeneration.","authors":"Grace Risby-Jones, John D Lee, Jenny N Fung","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2026.07.002","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interleukin-6 (IL-6) exerts protective and pathogenic effects in the central nervous system through distinct receptor-signalling modes. Classical signalling via membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) is often associated with homeostatic and reparative functions, whereas trans-signalling, mediated by soluble IL-6R, expands IL-6 responsiveness to gp130-expressing cells and may promote chronic inflammation. Emerging evidence implicates dysregulated IL-6 trans-signalling in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Here, we review mechanisms linking IL-6 trans-signalling to immune, glial, neuronal, and vascular dysfunction in neurodegeneration. We highlight key knowledge gaps and discuss whether selective targeting of trans-signalling can limit inflammatory pathology while preserving beneficial classical IL-6 functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":"750-763"},"PeriodicalIF":15.7000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in Neurosciences","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2026.07.002","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/8/7 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) exerts protective and pathogenic effects in the central nervous system through distinct receptor-signalling modes. Classical signalling via membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) is often associated with homeostatic and reparative functions, whereas trans-signalling, mediated by soluble IL-6R, expands IL-6 responsiveness to gp130-expressing cells and may promote chronic inflammation. Emerging evidence implicates dysregulated IL-6 trans-signalling in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Here, we review mechanisms linking IL-6 trans-signalling to immune, glial, neuronal, and vascular dysfunction in neurodegeneration. We highlight key knowledge gaps and discuss whether selective targeting of trans-signalling can limit inflammatory pathology while preserving beneficial classical IL-6 functions.
期刊介绍:
For over four decades, Trends in Neurosciences (TINS) has been a prominent source of inspiring reviews and commentaries across all disciplines of neuroscience. TINS is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal, and its articles are curated by the Editor and authored by leading researchers in their respective fields. The journal communicates exciting advances in brain research, serves as a voice for the global neuroscience community, and highlights the contribution of neuroscientific research to medicine and society.