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GDF15 is part of the TGF-Beta superfamily which is involved in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in injured tissues and throughout disease processes. GDF15 is most abundant in the liver. Its expression in liver can be considerably up-regulated in during injury of organs such as liver, kidney, heart and lung. GDF-15 promotes proliferation or growth arrest and differentiation due to differences in cellular differentiation. GDF15 prevents apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons by activating Akt and inhibiting endogenously active ERK. GDF15 is a novel autocrine/endocrine factor that antagonizes the hypertrophic response and loss of ventricular performance.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. CSF-1 induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. It plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases.
SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).

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.

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.

Epidermal growth factor has a profound effect on the differentiation of specific cells in vivo and is a potent mitogenic factor for a variety of cultured cells of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. The EGF precursor is believed to exist as a membrane-bound molecule which is proteolytically cleaved to generate the 53-amino acid peptide hormone that stimulates cells to divide.
EGF stimulates the growth of various epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture.

IL-1 alpha is produced by activated macrophages, stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1A proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin and collagenase from synovial cells.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

Thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced mainly by the liver and the kidney that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. It stimulates the production and differentiation of megakaryocytes, the bone marrow cells that fragment into large numbers of platelets.

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.

Adiponectin, also referred to as Acrp30, AdipoQ and GBP-28, is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.

TICAM2 belongs to the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) family, a group of proteins which include the Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TICAM2, a cytoplasmic protein, physically bonds TLR4 and TICAM-1 and functionally transfers LPS-TLR4 signaling to TICAM-1, that sequentially activates IRF-3. TICAM2 takes part in IL1-triggered NF-kappa-B activation, operating upstream of IRAK1, IRAK2, TRAF6, and IKBKB.

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Antigen Like 1 also known as TINAGL1 is similar in sequence to tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen, a secreted glycoprotein which is identified by antibodies in several types of immune-related tubulointerstitial nephritis. Three transcript variants encoding different isoforms are known for TINAGL1.

Toll-interleukin1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) contains 1 TIR domain. TIRAP is an adapter molecule linked with toll-like receptors. TIRAP is required in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways in the innate immune response. TIRAP activates NF-kappa-B, MAPK1, MAPK3 and JNK, which subsequently results in cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response. TIRAP is highly expressed in the liver, kidney, spleen, skeletal muscle and heart. TIRAP is also found in peripheral blood leukocytes, lung, placenta, small intestine, thymus, colon and brain.

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.

Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that have been found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. Thioredoxin contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins are involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis. It interacts with a broad range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, accompanied by the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. Trx also provides control over a number of transcription factors affecting cell proliferation and death through a mechanism referred to as redox regulation. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant. This could be especially useful in

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron binding proteins. It is found in human breast milk as well as most epithelial surface secretions including tears, nasogastric, saliva, and bronchial. Lactoferrin binds 2 molecules of iron with very high affinity. Lactoferrin inhibits bacterial growth by withholding iron, its N-terminal region is an antimicrobial peptide. Lactotransferrin acts synergistically with lysozyme to potentiate the activity of both proteins. The multifunctional protein lactoferrin has many physiological possible roles. It is often referred to as an innate defense protein and frequently serves as the first line of defense in protection against pathogens. It has been shown to have the ability to bind iron, it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is an antioxidant and it also has immunomodulatory properties. It has many beneficial properties, which make it a good candidate for a number of product applications. Considerable research is currently going on to explain the various suggested biological functions of lactoferrin.

Tissue plasminogen activator (abbreviated PLAT or tPA) is a secreted serine proteasewhich converts the proenzymeplasminogento plasmin, a fibrinolyticenzyme. Plasminogen is synthesized as a single chain which is cleaved by PLAT into the two chain disulfide linked plasmin.
This enzyme plays a role in cell migrationand tissue remodeling. Increased enzymatic activity causes hyperfibrinolysis, which manifests as excessive bleeding; decreased activity leads to hypofibrinolysiswhich can result in thrombosisor embolism.

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.

IL19 is a cytokine that belongs to the IL10 cytokine subfamily. IL-19 is found to be preferentially expressed in monocytes. IL19 binds the IL20 receptor complex and lead to the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). A similar cytokine in mouse is reported to up-regulate the expression of IL6 and TNF-alpha and induce apoptosis, which suggests a role of this cytokine in inflammatory responses. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the distinct isoforms have been described.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. IL1RAinhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. IL1RAand five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer.

V-Set Domain Containing T Cell Activation Inhibitor 1, also known as VCTN1, is part of the B7 costimulatory protein family. Proteins in this family are located on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and interact with ligand bound to receptors on the surface of T cells. High level of the encoded protein has been associated with tumor progression. VCTN1 also takes part in promoting epithelial cell transformation.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.