Interleukin (IL-6) is a major immunomodulatory cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.18, 19, 20, 21 It has also been reported to have protective effects in vitro against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity.22 Therefore, we investigated the effect of rapamycin on IL-6 in MPP+-treated astrocytes. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.