In vitro IL-6/IL-6R Trans-Signaling in Fibroblasts Releases Cytokines That May Be Linked to the Pathogenesis of IgG4-Related Disease

Background: The mechanisms of remarkable storiform fibrosis and high levels of IgG4 with a pathogenic germinal center (GC) formation in the inflammatory tissue of IgG4-RD remains unknown and may be responsible for the unsatisfactory therapeutic effect using conventional therapy. Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of interleukin 6 (IL-6) inducing fibroblasts to produce cytokines for pathogenic GC formation in the development of IgG4-related...