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Estrogen receptors α (ERα, ER; NR3A1) is a member of the steroid hormone receptor family. ERα is a ligand-activated transcription factor. ERα contain DNA binding and ligand binding domains. ERα is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, including ovary, uterus, breast, prostate, testis, epididymis, bones, bladder, kidney, heart, vessel wall, pituitary gland and hypothalamus. ER plays a variety of important roles in the maintenance of the reproductive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems. The natural ligand for ER is 17β-estradiol, the classical estrogenic compound. The binding of estrogen to ER induces a conformational change and triggers a cascade of events, including dissociation from heat shock proteins, receptor dimerization, phosphorylation and the association of the hormone activated receptor with specific regulatory elements in target genes.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now also named CCL3 and CCL4. Both factors are produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. MIP-1a and MIP-1b activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. MIP-1a and MIP-1b induce synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-alpha from fibroblasts and macrophages. CCL3 and CCL4 genes are both located on human chromosome 17.

ECHS1 is part of the hydratase/isomerase superfamily. ECHS1 is localized in the mitochondrial matrix and Expressed in muscle, liver and fibroblasts, with low expression in kidney and spleen, ECHS1 exists as a homohexamer that takes part in the second phase of the mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation pathway.

IL17 is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL-17 regulates the activities of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Interleukin-17 can stimulate the expression of IL6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX-2), as well as enhance the production of nitric oxide (NO). High levels of IL-17 are associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

TatD DNase Domain Containing 1, also known as TATDN1, is a protein coding gene which is a part of the TatD DNase family. TATDN1 which is a deoxyribonuclease binds two divalent metal cations per subunit.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirusthat can lead to a condition in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the humanimmune systemsuch as helper T cells(specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophagesand dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosisin infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytesthat recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunityis lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry of the target cell, the viral RNA genomeis converted to double-stranded DNAby a virally encoded reverse transcriptasethat is present in the virus particle. This viral DNA is then integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded integraseso that the genome can be transcribed. Once the virus has infected the cell, two pathways are possible: either the virus becomes latentand the infected cell continues to function, or the virus becomes active and replicates, and a large number of virus particles are liberated that can then infect other cells.

LRG1 belongs to the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family of proteins, which have been shown to be involved in protein-protein interaction, signal transduction, and cell adhesion and development. The LRG1 is expressed during granulocyte differentiation.

nterleukin 33 (IL-33) is a 32kDa proinflammatory cytokine that may also regulate gene transcription in producer cells. IL-33 is structurally related to IL-1, which induces helper T cells to produce type 2 cytokines and acts through the receptor IL1RL-1 (IL1 receptor-like-1), which is known also as ST2. Binding of IL-33 to this receptor activates NF-kappa-B and MAP kinases and induces in vitro Th2 cells to produce cytokines. In vivo, IL-33 induces expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and leads to severe pathological changes in mucosal organs and in vitro, it can be divided to N-terminal fragment of 12kDa and C-terminal fragment of 18kDa by cleavage of caspase-1.

Human interleukin family 1, member 5 (IL-1F5 / FIL1-delta) belongs to the interleukin 1 cytokine family. IL1F5 is expressed by a variety of cells including monocytes, Bcells, dendritic cells/Langerhans cells, keratinocytes,and gastric fundus Parietal and Chief cells. IL1F5 is an antagonist of IL1F9; however IL1F5 activity related to receptor binding remains unclear. Human and mouse IL1F5 share 90% amino acid sequence identity.

Simian immunodeficiency virus, SIV, is a retrovirusthat is found in strains, having the HIV-1and HIV-2specific strains that infect humans. SIV strains may cause an AIDS-like immune deficiency known as SAIDS (simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if they cross species boundaries. HIV-2 is more similar to SIV strains than to HIV-1, suggesting for the first time the simian origin of HIV. HIV-2 is derived from the SIV strain found in sooty mangabeys whereas HIV-1, the predominant virus found in humans, is derived from SIV strains infecting chimpanzees.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

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.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

IL2-Ra is one of the three constituent subunits of the IL2 receptor. IL-2Ra is released into the serum after increased cellular expression such as increased activation of B and T cells. Clinical manifestations of IL2-Ra elevation include autoimmune conditions and some leukemias and lymphomas.

CD31 is a glycoprotein expressed on endothelial cells, platelets, macrophages and Kupffer cells, granulocytes, T / NK cells, lymphocytes, megakaryocytes, fibroblasts, osteoclasts, neutrophils. In humans, the gene encoding CD31 is found on chromosome 17.
CD31 is a cluster of differentiation molecule. It is also called PECAM-1 for platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule. It plays a key role in removing aged neutrophils from the body. Both the neutrophil and the macrophage express CD31 on their membranes, and during the testing process, these CD31 molecules bind the two cells together. If the neutrophil is healthy, it will send a signal to the macrophage, and the CD31 molecules will detach.
CD31 is also expressed in certain tumors, including epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma, other vascular tumors, histiocytic malignancies, and plasmacytomas. It is rarely found in some sarcomas and carcinomas.

CD86 type I membrane protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily which is expressed by antigen-presenting cells, and acts as the ligand for two proteins at the cell surface of T cells, CD28 antigen and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4. CD86 binding with CD28 protein is a co-stimulatory signal for initiation of the T-cell. CD86 binding with CTLA-4 negatively regulates T-cell activation and diminishes the immune response.

IL2-Ra is one of the three constituent subunits of the IL2 receptor. IL-2Ra is released into the serum after increased cellular expression such as increased activation of B and T cells. Clinical manifestations of IL2-Ra elevation include autoimmune conditions and some leukemias and lymphomas.

CD40 is part of the TNF-receptor superfamily. CD40 is a necessary mediator for vast range of immune and inflammatory responses together with T cell-dependent immunoglobulin class switching, memory B cell growth, and germinal center formation. The transcription factor AKNA regulates the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is vital for homotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and serves as a mediator of the signal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is crucial for amyloid-beta-induced microglial activation, and thus is thought to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. CD40 is the receptor for TNFSF5/CD40L.

IL-25 also called IL-17E cytokine has a sequence similarity with IL17.
IL-17E indluces NF-kappaB activation, and stimulates the production of IL-8. IL17E and IL17B are ligands for the cytokine receptor IL17BR. IL-25 is a proinflammatory cytokine favoring Th2-type immune response. The upregulation of costimulation-induced IL-17E receptors and release of cytokines and chemokines from IL-17E treated costimulated Th cells are differentially regulated by intracellular JNK, p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB activity. Blocking Iinterleukin-25 prevents airway hyperresponsiveness, a critical feature of clinical asthma. IL25 produced by innate effector eosinophils and basophils increase the allergic inflammation by enhancing the maintenance and functions of TSLP-DC activated adaptive Th2 memory cells. Over expression of IL-25 up-regulates gene expression of Th2 cytokines and induces growth retardation, jaundice, and multiorgan inflammation in a transgenic mouse model. IL-25 contributes to the induction and maintenance of eosinophilic inflammation by acting on lung fibroblasts which supports the fact that IL-17E is an important factor in asthma pathophysiology. IL-17E operates by amplifying TH2 cell-mediated allergic airway inflammation but doesn’t induce allergic inflammation in vivo.

Cathepsins B, C, H, L, S, V, X/Z/P and 1 are cysteine proteases of the papain family. Cathepsin C is also known as DPPI (dipeptidyl-peptidase I). Cathepsin A is a serine carboxypeptidase and Cathepsin D and E are aspartic proteases. As lysosomal proteases, cathepsins play an important role in protein degradation. Because of their redistribution or increased levels in human and animal tumors, cathepsins may have a role in invasion and metastasis. Cathepsins are synthesized as inactive proenzymes and processed to become mature and active enzymes. Endogenous protein inhibitors, such as cystatins and some serpins, inhibit active enzymes.

BCL2 gene encodes an integral outer mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks the apoptotic death of some cells such as lymphocytes. Constitutive expression of BCL2, such as in the case of translocation of BCL2 to Ig heavy chain locus, is thought to be the cause of follicular lymphoma. Two transcript variants, produced by alternate splicing, differ in their C-terminal ends.

CD30 Ligand (TNFSF8) is a cytokine which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. The TNFSF8 cytokine is a ligand for TNFRSF8/CD30, which is a cell surface antigen and a marker for Hodgkin lymphoma and related hematologic malignancies. The employment of the TNFSF8 cytokine expressed on B cell surface has an inhibitory role in modulating Ig class switch. TNFSF8 enhances cell proliferation of some lymphoma cell lines, while inducing cell death and reducing cell proliferation of other lymphoma cell lines. The pleiotropic biological activities of the TNFSF8 cytokine on different CD30+ lymphoma cell lines has a pathophysiologic role in Hodgkin's and some non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, it is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Much like the other flaviviruses, Zika virus is enveloped and icosahedral and has a nonsegmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. Zika fever is an infection, which often causes no symptoms or only mild ones, like a mild form of dengue fever, and it is treated by rest. As of February 2016, there has been mounting evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in their fetuses by mother-to-child transmission, which may result in miscarriage or microcephaly, however it is not yet known whether Zika virus causes microcephaly. Furthermore, a connection has been established with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including Guillain–Barre syndrome.

Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 also known as NCR3 is a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) which assists NK cells in the lysis of tumor cells. Moreover, NCR3 interacts with CD3-zeta (CD247), a T-cell receptor. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' untranslated region of NCR3 has been related with mild malaria suceptibility. Three transcript variants encoding various isoforms have been found for this gene.