Indeed, low-dose IL-11 administration in pilot studies was shown to increase platelet counts without notable toxicity in thrombocytopenic patients with bone marrow failure.20, 21 Intriguingly, the unique IL-6 family cytokine also has well-defined actions in stimulating various stages and lineages of hematopoiesis.22 This protein can work synergistically with other cytokines to promote the proliferation, differentiation and commitment of multi-lineage progenitor cells in hematopoietic compartments. The gene discussed is IL11; the disease is Bone marrow hypocellularity.