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Zinc Finger, AN1-Type Domain 5, also known as ZFAND5 is implicated in protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. ZFAND5 performs by anchoring ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome and takes part in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation during muscle atrophy. Furthemore, ZFAND5 plays a role in the regulation of NF-kappa-B activation as well as apoptosis. ZFAND5 inhibits NF-kappa-B activation as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1 and TLR4-induced NF-kappa-B activation.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. This cytokine is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of this cytokine is 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). This gene, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. This cytokine, 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).

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.

CD34 is a single chain transmembrane glycoprotein which is selectively expressed on human lymphoid and myeloid hemapoietic progenitor cells.
CD34 has been used to measure angiogenesis, which reportedly predicts tumor recurrence.

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.

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.

T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 zeta chain (CD247) is a member of the CD3Z/FCER1G family. CD247 is T-cell receptor zeta, which along with T-cell receptor alpha/beta and gamma/delta heterodimers, and also with CD3-gamma, -delta and -epsilon, creates the T-cell receptor-CD3 complex. The zeta chain has a central role in coupling antigen recognition to several intracellular signal-transduction pathways. Low expression of the CD247 antigen causes impaired immune response.

CD38 is a surface molecule which acts as a plasma membrane signaling receptor in leukocytes. Furthermore, CD38 functions as signaling channel which leads to to cellular activation and proliferation. CD38 also plays a role as an ectoenzyme with various functions as well as an inducer of Ca2+ mobilization from cytoplasmic stores. CD38 signals acts as a coreceptor on B cells and modulates B cell receptor.

Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. This I-domain containing alpha integrin combines with the beta 2 chain (ITGB2) to form a leukocyte-specific integrin referred to as macrophage receptor 1 ('Mac-1'), or inactivated-C3b (iC3b) receptor 3 ('CR3'). The alpha M beta 2 integrin is important in the adherence of neutrophils and monocytes to stimulated endothelium, and also in the phagocytosis of complement coated particles. Integrin alpha-m/beta-2 is implicated in various adhesive interactions of monocytes, macrophages and granulocytes as well as in mediating the uptake of complement-coated particles. CD-11b is identical with cr-3, the receptor for the ic3b fragment of the third complement component. CD-11b probably recognizes the r-g-d peptide in c3b. Integrin alpha-m/beta-2 is also a receptor for fibrinogen, factor x and icam1. it recognizes p1 and p2 peptides of fibrinogen gamma chain.

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).

CD14 (also known lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor) is expressed strongly on monocytes and macrophage and weakly on the surface of neutrophils. CD14 is anchored to cells by linkage to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) and functions as a high affinity receptor for complexes of LPS and LPS binding protein (LBP). Soluble CD14, also binding to LPS, acts at physiological concentration as an LPS agonist and has, at higher concentrations, an LPS antagonizing effect in cell activation. CD14 has been shown to bind apoptotic cells.

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) is an enzyme that scavenges exogenous and endogenous cytidine and 2'-deoxycytidine for UMP synthesis. CDA is one of several deaminases responsible for maintaining the cellular pyrimidine pool. CDA also catalyzes the deamination of chemotherapeutic cytosine nucleoside analogs such as Ara-C and 5-azacytidine, which results in the loss of their cytotoxic and antitumor function. CDA can form homotetramers and is generally expressed in granulocytes. Mutations in the CDA gene are linked to decreased sensitivity to the cytosine nucleoside analogue cytosine arabinoside used in the treatment of certain childhood leukemias.

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.

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.

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.

CCL15, a new human CC chemokine, was isolated from a human fetal spleen cDNA library. CCL15 cDNA encodes a predicted 113 amino acid (aa) protein containing a putative signal peptide of 21 amino acids that is cleaved to generate a 92 aa residue mature protein. Within the CC family members, human CCL15 shares 45%, 44%, 35%, and 30% aa homology with mouse C10, human MPIF-1, human HCC-1, and mouse MIP-1?, respectively. The gene for MIP-5 is found on chromosome 17 where the genes for most of the human CC chemokines are located. Human CCL15 is expressed in T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Human MIP-5 is chemotactic for T cells and monocytes and has been shown to induce calcium flux in human CCR-1-transfected cells.

CYB5R3 is a cytochrome b5 reductase, which includes a membrane-bound form in somatic cells (anchored in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial and other membranes) and a soluble form in erythrocytes. The membrane-bound form exists mainly on the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum and functions in desaturation and elongation of fatty acids, in cholesterol biosynthesis, and in drug metabolism. The erythrocyte form is located in a soluble fraction of circulating erythrocytes and is involved in methemoglobin reduction. The membrane-bound form has both membrane-binding and catalytic domains, while the soluble form has only the catalytic domain. Mutations in this gene cause methemoglobinemias.

CD28 co-stimulation is necessary for CD4 positive T-cell proliferation & survival, interleukin-2 production, and T-helper type-2 development. Human post-thymic regulatory T cells require CD28 co-stimulation to expand and maintain potent suppressive function in vivo. Apoptosis plays a key role in the age-related decline of CD28 expression and in immunosenescence.