IL6 and chronic kidney disease: Studies have shown that specific blockade of IL-6 trans-signaling in a murine model of IRI-induced AKI to CKD not only accelerates renal tissue repair but also significantly reduces ECM deposition and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, suggesting a protective effect of IL-6 inhibition against the progression of chronic renal fibrosis induced by IRI [12].