Interleukin-6: A Novel Target for Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases

Abstract

Cardio-Cerebrovascular Disease is a collective term for cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease, being a serious threat to human health. A growing number of studies have proved that the content of inflammatory factors or mediators determines the stability of vascular plaque and the incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular event, and involves in the process of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases. Interleukin-6 is a widely used cytokine that causes inflammation and oxidative stress, which would further result in cardiac and cerebral injury. The increased expression of interleukin-6 is closely related to atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure and ischemic stroke. It is a key risk factor for these diseases by triggering inflammatory reaction and inducing other molecules release. Therefore, interleukin-6 may become a potential target for Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases in the future. This paper is aimed to discuss the expression changes and pathological mechanisms of interleukin-6 in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, and to provide a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Interleukins and Ischemic Stroke

“…The dysregulation of IL-6 is closely related to the occurrence and outcome of many clinical diseases, including coronary heart disease, leukemia, hypertension, ischemic stroke and so on (45). Su et al demonstrated that elevated IL-6 induced by ischemia and hypoxia, oxidative stress, vascular occlusion and inflammation, partly leads to the production of the acute phase protein in the liver, thereby stimulating leukocyte recruitment and thrombosis, ultimately causing multiple cardiocerebrovascular diseases including ischemic stroke (46). Elevated serum IL-6 levels are implicated in a higher risk of incident stroke and mediate the racial disparity in stroke via inflammatory effects of risk factors (47).…”

Role of Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation

“…Drugs targeting inflammatory molecules have been clinically available for connective tissue diseases and other autoimmune diseases, and their application to cardiac diseases, including AF, is also underway ( Su et al, 2021 ). Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) is widely used for the treatment of RA.…”

Quality Care Alleviates Behavioral Cognitive Impairment and Reduces Complications in Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

“…Although extensive research studies have been conducted to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of CCVD, the survival rate of patients with CCVD remains surprisingly low [ 3 ]. Besides this, its features of high incidence, mortality, and disability pose huge burdens on the family and society [ 4 ]. Close association among cognitive impairment, CCVD, and mortality has been documented in a previous study [ 5 ], as well as the crucial role of aging in CCVD and neurodegenerative disorders [ 6 ].…”