The IL-6 family consists of nine cytokines, IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, IL-31, oncostatin M (OSM), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNF), cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) and cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor (CLCF1). These nine cytokines are grouped into one family because they all activate the signal transducing receptor protein, gp130. IL-6 family binding to the gp130 alpha subunit stimulates homodimerization and activation of Janus kinases (JAK), followed by activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription such as STAT1 and STAT3. The IL-6 family of cytokines have essential roles in the regulation of the acute phase response, in B-cell stimulation, in the regulation of the balance between regulatory T cells and effector T cells and in metabolic regulation. They also are involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer. ELISA Genie provides a range of ELISA kits to measure IL-6 family ligands, and their receptors.