Muscle derived interleukin-6: signalling pathways and biological roles

Funded Activity Summary

Over the past few years work from our research group has identified that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by skeletal muscle during contractions. Moreover, we have demonstrated that IL-6 performs entirely novel functions that have major ramifications for diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. We have demonstrated that IL-6 is a potent factor in increasing the breakdown of fatty acids in the human body. We have also demonstrated that IL-6 down-regulates the cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), which impairs glucose uptake and promotes insulin resistance. The proposed work will extend upon these findings. Discovering that IL-6 produced during exercise contributes to fatty acid utilisation will have profound ramifications for what we know about energy breakdown. If we find that the function of IL-6 produced by muscle is to down-regulate TNF-a and lead to enhanced glucose uptake in type 2 diabetics, it may lead to IL-6 being used as a possible therapeutic aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In summary, this project will have major significance for not only our fundamental knowledge of the processes involved in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, but also for our understanding of the major health problem of obesity related diseases.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2003

End Date: 01-01-2005

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $330,375.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

anti-inflammatory effects | cell signalling | cytokines | diabetes (type 2) | energy metabolism | insulin resistance | lipolysis | substrate metabolism | type 2 diabetes

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