protein_function: Cytokine that stimulates the proliferation ofhematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells andinduces megakaryocyte maturation resulting in increased plateletproduction (PubMed:2145578). Also promotes the proliferation ofhepatocytes in response to liver damage. Binding to its receptorformed by IL6ST and either IL11RA1 or IL11RA2 activates asignaling cascade that promotes cell proliferation(PubMed:12919066). Signaling leads to the activation ofintracellular protein kinases and the phosphorylation of STAT3..
Interleukin 11(IL-11) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL11 gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the gp130 family of cytokines. This gene is mapped to 19q13.42. It is a key regulator of multiple events in hematopoiesis, most notably the stimulation of megakaryocyte maturation. IL-11 has been demonstrated to improve platelet recovery after chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, induce acute phase proteins, modulate antigen-antibody responses, participate in the regulation of bone cell proliferation and differentiation and could be use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis. What"s more, IL-11 can stimulate the growth of certain lymphocytes and it has functions in many other tissues, including the brain, gut, testis and bone. In transgenic mice, overexpression of the human IL11 gene resulted in the stimulation of bone formation to increase cortical thickness and strength of long bones.
