This gene encodes a member of the interleukin family of cytokines that have important functions in immune response, hematopoiesis, inflammation and the acute phase response. The ectopic overexpression of the encoded protein in mice results in excessive plasma cells in circulation, leading to death. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit abnormalities in hepatic acute phase response, some immune mechanisms, bone resorption in response to estrogen, liver regeneration and wound healing. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.
