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TNFRSF13B (TACI) is a transmembrane receptor protein found predominantly on the surface of B cells (a significant part of the immune system). TACI was at first discovered owing to its ability to interact with calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML). Later on, it was found that TACI plays a key role in humoral immunity by interacting with two members of the TNF family. Also, TACI controls T cell-independent B cell antibody responses, isotype switching, and B cell homeostasis.

IL3RA, also known as Interleukin 3 Receptor Subunit Alpha, is a single-pass type 1 membrane protein which is a member of the type 1 cytokine receptor family as well as type 5 subfamily. IL3RA is a pleiotropic cytokine which is produced mainly by activated T cells or mast cells. Moreover, the specific alpha subunit of the interleukin 3 receptor is strongly expressed in a variety of leukemic blasts as well as leukemic stem cells and appears to be a great target for the therapy of leukemias.

E-cadherin (uvomorulin, cell-CAM120/80) is a calcium dependent cell adhesion molecule expressed predominately in epithelial tissues. It plays an important role in the growth and development of cells via the mechanisms of control of tissue architecture and the maintenance of tissue integrity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that reduction and/or loss of Ecadherin expression in carcinomas correlates positively with the potential of these tumors for invasion and metastasis.

Ring Finger & CHY Zinc Finger Domain Containing 1 (RCHY1) acts as an ubiquitin ligase. RCHY1 mediates E3-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins which among them are TP53, HDAC1 and CDKN1B, consequently regulating their levels and cell cycle progression. RCHY1 is also increases AR transcription factor activity.

CTF2P, aka Neuropoietinis a part of the IL-6 family of cytokines. CTF2P is the outcome of a gene duplication event involving cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) and it helps to define a subfamily within the IL-6 family that includes CT-1, CLC and CTNF. CTF2P Increases the platelet count associated with splenomegaly and takes part in neuronal precursor development and maturation.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The Endoglin protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. Endoglin has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. Endoglin 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. Endoglin expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

Interleukin-3 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by activated T cells.
IL-3 is thought to function via specific cell surface receptors to stimulate the proliferation, differentiation and survival of haematopoietic cell lines. IL-3 has also been shown to affect the functional activity of a variety of other cell types including mast cells, eosinophils, megakaryocytes and basophils.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes. Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor is a potent species-specific growth factor produced by a variety of cell types including T cells, B cells, macrophages, mast cells and endothelial cells. GM-CSF is produced in response to cytokine or immune stimulation and has been shown to stimulate the proliferation, maturation and function of hematopoietic cells.

Interleukin-1b is produced by activated macrophages, IL-1 Beta stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

VCAM1 is a member of the Ig superfamily. It is a cell surface sialoglycoprotein expressed by cytokine activated endothelium. VCAM-1 contains 6 or 7 immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small vessels only after the endothelial cells are stimulated by cytokines. The protein has a number of functions including the regulation of leukocyte migration, leukocyte endothelial cell adhesion and signal transduction and may play a role in a number of inflammatory diseases (artherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis).

RELM-gamma is a novel member of the resistin-like molecule/found in inflammatory zone (RELM/FIZZ) family in mice and rats. Microarray and real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed a repression of RELMgamma mRNA in nasal respiratory epithelium of cigarette smoke-exposed versus untreated rats. The analysis of the physiological tissue-specific expression revealed highest expression in hematopoietic tissues, suggesting a cytokine-like role for RELM-gamma. RELM-gamma-mRNA is detectable in bone marrow, spleen, and lung as well as in peripheral blood granulocytes. Promyelocytic HL60 cells transfected with a RELM-gamma expression plasmid have an increased proliferation rate compared to mock-transfected cells and display an altered response to retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation. Taken together, these data provide the first experimental evidence that RELM-gamma is a secreted molecule with a restricted expression pattern that may play a role in promyelocytic differentiation.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes.

Cytokine-like protein 1 (CYTL1) is a secreted protein. CYTL1 is expressed in CD34+ cell populations of bone marrow and cord blood which function as hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. However, CYTL1 is not expressed in CD34- cells. Experiments with knock-out mice (Cytl1-/-) propose that CYTL1 is essential for the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis rather than cartilage and bone development, and loss of CYTL1 function is linked with experimental osteoarthritic cartilage destruction in mice.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

TSLP protein is a hemopoietic cytokine which signals throughout a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor & the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain. TSLP impacts myeloid cells thus induces the discharge of T cell-attracting chemokines from monocytes & increases the growth of CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP is mainly expressed in the heart, liver and prostate. TSLP is related in its biological activities with IL-7 and binds with the heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain & the TSLPR. Similar to IL-7, TSLP enhances phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5, though uses kinases excluding JAKs for its activation. TSLP induces the release of T cell-attracting chemokines such asTARC & MDC from monocytes & triggers CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP activated dendritic cells primes naive T cells to manufacture pro-allergic cytokines such as Iinterleukin-4, Interleukin-5, Interleukin-13 and TNF-alpha whereas down-regulating Interleukin-10 and IFN-gamma play a role in the initiation of allergic inflammation.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

EBI3 has an induced expression in B lymphocytes in reaction to Epstein-Barr virus infection. EBI3 encodes a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the hematopoietin receptor family, and heterodimerizes with a 28 kDa protein to form iIL-27. EBI3 drives rapid clonal expansion of naive cd4(+) t-cells. EBI3 strongly synergizes with IL-12 to activate IFN-gamma production of naive cd4(+) t-cells. EBI3 mediates its biologic effects through the cytokine receptor wsx-1/tccr.

Interleukin-1b is produced by activated macrophages, IL-1B stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

IL10 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and to a lesser extent by lymphocytes. This cytokine has pleiotropic effects in immunoregulation and inflammation. It down-regulates the expression of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II Ags, and costimulatory molecules on macrophages. It also enhances B cell survival, proliferation, and antibody production. This cytokine can block NF-kappa B activity, and is involved in the regulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Knockout studies in mice suggested the function of this cytokine as an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

IL10 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and to a lesser extent by lymphocytes. This cytokine has pleiotropic effects in immunoregulation and inflammation. It down-regulates the expression of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II Ags, and costimulatory molecules on macrophages. It also enhances B cell survival, proliferation, and antibody production. This cytokine can block NF-kappa B activity, and is involved in the regulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Knockout studies in mice suggested the function of this cytokine as an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

IL-16 is a pleiotropic cytokine that functions as a chemoattractant, a modulator of T cell activation, and an inhibitor of HIV replication. The signaling process of IL-16 is mediated by CD4. The product of this gene undergoes proteolytic processing, which is found to yield two functional proteins. IL-16 functions exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control. Caspase 3 is reported to be involved in the proteolytic processing of this protein. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
IL-16 stimulates a migratory response in cd4+ lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. Also induces t-lymphocyte expression of interleukin 2 receptor, ligand for cd4.

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.

The IL1RL1 gene is a member of the IL-1 receptor family, encoding a transmembrane protein with a structure similar to IL-1R1. IL1RL1 is a receptor for interleukin-33, its stimulation recruits MYD88, IRAK1, IRAK4, and TRAF6, followed by phosphorylation of MAPK3/ERK1 and/or MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK14, and MAPK8. IL1RL1 may possibly be involved in helper T-cell function. IL1RL1 is highly expressed in kidney, lung, placenta, stomach, skeletal muscle, colon and small intestine.A soluble form of the IL1RL1 is produced from the same gene by alternative splicing and was shown to be expressed in several cell types including fibroblasts and mast cells. Soluble IL1RL1 also acts as a negative regulator of Th2 cytokine production and high levels have been reported in several disease states and conditions including asthma, sepsis and myocardial infarction.Analysis of the similar gene in mouse suggested that the IL1RL1 receptor can be induced by proinflammatory stimuli, and may be involved in the function of helper T cells.

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belongs to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins (monomeric peptide contains 11 cysteine residues) referred to as the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue-Specific Secretory Factor) or FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone 3). Resistin may be an important link between obesity. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppressed the ability to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin was present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and was down regulated by fasting and by antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severely suppressed in obesity.
Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.