Enables cytokine activity and interleukin-6 receptor binding activity. Involved in several processes, including cellular response to lipid; positive regulation of cell communication; and response to peptide hormone. Located in cytoplasm and extracellular space. Used to study several diseases, including acute necrotizing pancreatitis; disseminated intravascular coagulation; fatty liver disease; hypertension (multiple) ; and impotence. Biomarker of several diseases, including acute necrotizing pancreatitis; artery disease (multiple) ; auditory system disease (multiple) ; iron deficiency anemia; and lung disease (multiple) . Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including autoimmune disease (multiple) ; eye disease (multiple) ; gastrointestinal system cancer (multiple) ; glucose metabolism disease (multiple) ; and periodontal disease (multiple) . Orthologous to human IL6 (interleukin 6) .