Interleukin-6 (IL-6), also known as BSF-2, CDF and IFNB2, is a pleiotropic cytokine that participates in both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. It is produced mainly by T cells, macrophages, monocytes, endothelial cells and muscle cells. IL-6 binds to IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) to trigger the association of IL-6R with gp130, inducing signal transduction through JAKs and STATs. The biological functions of IL-6 are diverse. It stimulates B cell differentiation and antibody production, myeloma and plasmacytoma growth, and nerve cell differentiation. It also acts as a myokine, produced by muscle cells in response to muscle contraction and released into the blood stream to help break down fats and improve insulin resistance.