Il6ra, also known as interleukin 6 receptor subunit alpha, is a key component in the interleukin 6 (IL-6) signaling pathway. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with broad effects on immune and non-immune cells, and Il6ra is essential for IL-6 to exert its functions. IL-6 can signal through both membrane-bound and soluble forms of Il6ra, and this signaling is involved in various biological processes, including immune regulation, inflammation, and cell growth [1].

In a Müller-glial-cell-specific Il6ra-/-mouse model, loss of IL-6 cis-signaling in Müller glial cells led to accelerated retinal functional decline, thinning of the inner nuclear layer, and reduced neuroprotection of bipolar neurons in the diabetic retina. This indicates that Il6ra-mediated cis-signaling in Müller glial cells is crucial for maintaining the inner nuclear layer during diabetes [2].

In another study, suppression of Il6ra specifically in area postrema neurons of male mice using CRISPR/dCas9 interference attenuated cancer cachectic phenotypes and the hyperactivity in the area postrema network, suggesting that Il6ra in these neurons is involved in the central mechanism of peripheral IL-6 function in cancer cachexia [3].

In conclusion, Il6ra is essential for IL-6 signaling and plays a significant role in maintaining normal physiological functions in the retina and in the context of cancer cachexia. The gene knockout models of Il6ra in specific cell types have provided valuable insights into its functions in these disease-related biological processes.