Interleukin-6 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine primarily produced by activated T cells and an assortment of other cells including endothelial cells and macrophages. IL-6 affects B and T lymphocytes and has been shown to have a role in host defense, acute phase reactions, immune responses and hematopoiesis Synonyms: IFN-b2, B cell differentiation factor (BCDF), BSF-2, HPGF, HSF, MGI-2, IL-6, Interleukin HP-1, B-cell hybridoma growth factor