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).