IL6 and Autoimmunity: IL-6, an important cytokine generally associated with inflammation and autoimmunity (Tanaka et al. 2014; Gabay 2006), can be both pro- and anti-inflammatory: trans-signaling (via a soluble form of IL-6 receptor with a broader spectrum of IL-6 target cells) leads to pro-inflammatory responses, whereas classic signaling (via membrane-bound IL-6 receptor) promotes anti-inflammatory and regenerative responses (Scheller et al. 2011).