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CD44 is a cell-surface glycoprotein that plays a role in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. CD44 is a receptor for hyaluronic acid and also interacts with other ligands, such as osteopontin, collagens, and matrix metalloproteinases. CD44 participates in a wide variety of cellular functions such as lymphocyte activation, recirculation and homing, hematopoiesis, and tumor metastasis. CD44 and CD49d are putative activity markers and CD44 a potential novel therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis. Increased CD44 antigen is associated with relapses in non-small cell lung cancers.

The protein encoded by IL5is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. IL5is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of IL5is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). Interleukin-5, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. Interleukin-5, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Cluster of Differentiation 244 (CD244/Natural Killer Cell Receptor 2B4) contains 2 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domains. CD244 is a cell surface receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells (and some T cells) which mediate non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted killing. NK-cell and target cells interaction via the CD244 receptor is believed to modulate NK-cell cytolytic activity. CD244 molecules function in eosinophil adhesion and chemotaxis, and have a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.

CD3 has four peptide chains (gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta) that form CD3. Defects in CD3 are associated with T cell immunodeficiency CD3 complex mediates signal transduction.

GM-CSF Receptor Alpha (CSF2RA) is the alpha subunit of the heterodimeric receptor for colony stimulating factor 2, a cytokine which controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. CSFR2 is also a member of the cytokine family of receptors. In addition, this gene is found in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) of the X and Y chromosomes. Multiple transcript variants encoding various isoforms have been found for this gene, while some of the isoforms being membrane-bound and others being soluble. Diseases associated with CSF2RA include surfactant metabolism dysfunction, pulmonary 4, and csf2ra-related pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction.

Developmental pluripotency-associated 5 proteins (DPPA5) is a 116 amino acid protein, which localizes to the cytoplasm and contains one KH domain. DPPA5 is expressed in embryonic germ (EG), primordial germ (PG) and embryonic stem (ES) cells. DPPA5 has an imperative role in the maintenance of ES cell pluripotency and may be essential for proper embryogenesis.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. It has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. It thus may be involved in the binding of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, activin-A, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Beside TGF-beta signaling endoglin may have other functions. It has been postulated that endoglin is involved in the cytoskeletal organization affecting cell morphology and migration. Endoglin has a role in the development of the cardiovascular system and in vascular remodeling. Its expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

Myosin regulatory light chain 5 (MYL5) is a hexameric ATPase cellular motor protein. Myosin is comprised of 2 heavy chains, 2 nonphosphorylatable alkali light chains, and 2 phosphorylatable regulatory light chains. MYL5 is a regulatory light chain and is expressed in the fetal muscle and in the adult retina, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. The reconstitution of myosin with MYL5 or alkali light chain increases filament velocity to intermediate rates, and the re-addition of both classes of light chains fully reinstates the original sliding pace.

ADP-ribosylation factor 5 (ARF5) is a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein which enhances the enzymatic activities of cholera toxin. ARF-dependent regulatory mechanisms include the coordination of spectrin interactions with golgi membranes and the connection of actin to the golgi via rho family-dependent G-protein localization and WASP/Arp2/3 complexes. ARF5 is involved in vesicular transport and functioning via phospholipase D activation.

Chlamydia is a common term for infection with any bacterium belonging to the phylum Chlamydiae. This term derives from the name of the bacterial genus Chlamydiain the family Chlamydiaceae, order Chlamydiales, class and phylum Chlamydiae. There are two genera in Chlamydiaceae: Chlamydia and Chlamydophila. The genus Chlamydia includes three species: C. trachomatis, C. muridarum, and C. suis.

CD166 antigen isoform 2 (ALCAM) is a type 1 membrane glycoprotein and belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. ALCAM is expressed on thymic epithelium, microvascular endothelium, activated lymphocytes and monocytes, and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. CD166 and CD6 interaction plays a role in T cell development and T cell regulation, as well as in the binding of T cells and B cells to activated leukocytes.

CD3 has four peptide chains (gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta) that form CD3. Defects in CD3 are associated with T cell immunodeficiency CD3 complex mediates signal transduction.

CD276, belongs to the B7 family of immunoregulatory transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by T cells. CD276 is a costimulatory molecule for T cell activation in addition to IFN-gamma production. Furthermore, CD276 upregulates BRCC3 expression, preventing DNA defects caused by 5-Fu. CD276 is correlated with TNM stage of NSCLC and act as a potential biomarker for NSCLC-derived MPEs. CD276 inhibits natural-killer mediated cell lysis in tumor cells, and act as a marker for detection of neuroblastoma cells. CD276 is implicated in the development of acute as well as chronic transplant rejection and in the regulation of lymphocytic activity at mucosal surfaces. In addition, CD276 provides the placenta & fetus a proper immunological environment during the course of pregnancy.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

CDNF is a member of the ARMET family and acts as a trophic factor for neurons. CDNF inhibits the 6-hydroxy (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of neurons. When CDNF controlled after 6-OHDA-lesioning, it reestablishes the function and inhibits the degeneration of neurons in substantia nigra. CDNF is universally expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. The highest levels in the brain are found in the optic nerve and corpus callosum.

Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed, and Secreted or RANTES is an 8 kDa protein classified as a chemotactic cytokine or chemokine. It has recently been renamed CCL5. RANTES is chemotactic for T cells, eosinophils and basophils and plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes into inflammatory sites. With the help of particular cytokines (i.e. IL-2 and IFN-?) that are released by T cells, RANTES also induces the proliferation and activation of certain natural killer (NK) cells to form CHAK (CC-Chemokine-activated killer) cells. It is also a HIV-suppressive factor released from CD8+ T cells. This chemokine has been localized to chromosome 17 in humans.

CD21 is expressed strongly on mature B cells, follicular dentritic cells and weakly on immature thymocytes and T lymphocytes. In B-cell ontogeny, CD21 appears after the pre-B-stage, is maintained during peripheral B-cell development and is lost upon terminal differentiation into plasma cells. CD21 expression is also gradually lost after stimulation of B cells in vitro. CD21 functions as receptor for C3d, C3dg and iC3b Complement components, for EBV and for IFNalpha. CD21 binds to CD23 and associates with CD19, CD81 and Leu13 to form a large signal-transduction complex involved in B cell activation.

Kallikrein-5 (KLK5) is a member of the serine protease family of proteolytic enzymes. KLK5 is expressed in various tissues including the salivary gland, stomach, uterus, lung, thymus, prostate, colon, brain, thyroid, and trachea. KLK5 expression is up-regulated by estrogens and progestins. KLK5 is secreted and may be involved in desquamation in the epidermis. Kallikreins which are a subgroup of serine proteases, have distinct physiological functions. Many kallikreins are associated with carcinogenesis and some have potential as novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. The KLK5 gene is one of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19.

NS5A is a component of the replication complex which takes part in RNA-binding. NS5A protein’s hyperphosphorylated form is an inhibitor of viral replication. NS5A interacts with Human VAPB and through it targets the viral replication complex to vesicles. NS5A down-regulates viral IRES translation initiation and mediates interferon resistance by interacting and inhibiting human EIF2AK2/PKR. NS5a is also inhibits apoptosis by interacting with BIN1 and FKBP8.

C-type lectin domain family 5-member A isoform 1 (CLEC5A) is part of the CTL/CTLD superfamily which carry various functions, for instance cell-cell signaling, cell adhesion, glycoprotein turnover, in addition to their inflammation & immune response abilities. CLEC5A operates as a cell attachment receptor for all 4 serotypes of Dengue virus in addition to Japanese encephalitis virus. CLEC5A binds to the dengue virus and it triggers signaling through the phosphylation of TYROBP, as a result no viral entrance occurs, however this interaction does stimulate proinflammatory cytokine release. CLEC5A preforms as a positive regulator of osteoclastogenesis and also a main regulator of synovial injury & bone erosion for the period of autoimmune joint inflammation.

Short chain dehydrogenase/reductase family 16C, member5 (SDR16C5) is active in the oxidative direction as well as in the reductive one. SDR16C5 oxidizes all-trans-retinol in all-trans-retinaldehyde. No activity was detected with 11-cis-retinol or 11-cis-retinaldehyde as substrates with either NAD+/NADH or NADP+/NADPH.

Histidine NADH Dehydrogenase Fe-S Protein 5 (NDUFS5) belongs to the NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) iron-sulfur protein family. NDUFS5 is a subunit of the mitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase (Complex I), which doesn’t take part in catalysis. Complex I is transferring the electrons from NADH to the respiratory chain.

Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5) binds directly to activated G alpha subunits and act as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) in order to weaken and/or modulate hormone and neurotransmitter receptor-initiated signaling by both G alpha-GTP and G beta gamma. Vascular endothelial cells express the RGS protein RGS5, where it correlates with capillary morphogenesis, consequently rendering it a candidate gene involved in capillary growth, angiogenesis, and also possibly the pathophysiology of stroke.