IL6 and keloid: For instance, IL-6 increases telomerase expression and activity in dermal progenitor cells, which is greater in keloid-derived progenitor cells, compared with those derived from normal skin.21 High IL-6 levels in keloid scars, combined with increased sensitivity to IL-6-induced telomerase activity, could result in telomere elongation, which would explain why cells in keloids have longer telomeres than cells in normal tissue.