IL6 and rheumatoid arthritis: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) can up-regulate matrix metalloproteinases and disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMT) expression.(12) Increased circulating levels of IL-6 have been reported in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients, which turn this cytokine a possible biomarker for disc degeneration.(13-15)