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Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as GRO3 oncogene (GRO3), GRO protein gamma (GROg) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2-beta (MIP2b). CXCL3 controls migration and adhesion of monocytes and mediates it effects on its target cell by interacting with a cell surface chemokine receptor called CXCR2. The gene for CXCL3 is located on chromosome 4 in a cluster of other CXC chemokines.

IL-36gamma belongs to the IL-1 family which includes IL-1b, IL-1a, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-36 Ra (IL-1F5), IL-36a (IL-1F6), IL-36b (IL-1F8), IL-37 (IL-1F7) and IL-1F10. ). The IL-1 family members display a 12 b-strand, b-trefoil configuration, and are thought to have ascended from a mutual ancestral gene. IL-36g is an 18-22 kDa, 169aa intracellular and secreted protein which holds no signal sequence, no prosegment and no potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Human IL-36g shares 58%- 69% aa sequence homology with mouse, rat, bovine and equine IL-36g, and 23 - 57% aa sequence homology with other family members. The IL-36g receptor is a mixture of IL-1 Rrp2, mostly located in epithelia and keratinocytes, and the extensively expressed IL-1 RAcP. All IL-36 (a, b and g) activate N F-?B and MAPK pathways in an IL-1 Rrp2 dependent reaction. Additionally, IL-36g induces production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines like CXCL8/IL-8.

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.

IL3 is a potent growth promoting cytokine. This cytokine is capable of supporting the proliferation of a broad range of hematopoietic cell types. It is involved in a variety of cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. This cytokine has been shown to also possess neurotrophic activity, and it may be associated with neurologic disorders.

FLT3 ligand is a receptor for the fl cytokine has a tyrosine-protein kinase activity & a growth factor that regulates proliferation of early hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Ligand synergizes with other CSFs and interleukins to induce growth and differentiation.

HBsAg is the surface antigen of the Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV). The capsid of a virus has different surface proteins from the rest of the virus. The antigen is a protein that binds specifically on one of these surface proteins. It is commonly referred to as the Australian Antigen.

Cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1) is a member of the interleukin 6 family of cytokines, which are involved in cell signaling via phosphorylation of gp130. CLCF1 has a sequence of 225 amino acids with a 27 aa signal peptide, having a molecular mass of 22kDa in the mature form, and the maximum homology to cardiotrophin-1 and ciliary neurotrophic factor. CLCF1 is actively secreted from cells by forming a complex with soluble type I CRLF1 or soluble CNTFR. Defects in the CLCF1 gene cause cold-induced sweating syndrome 2 (CISS2). The CISS2 syndrome is typified by profuse sweating after exposure to cold as well as congenital physical abnormalities of the head and spine.

TAFA-2 is a 11 kDa secreted protein that belongs to the FAM19/TAFA family of chemokine-like proteins. Similar to other FAM19/TAFA family members, mature TAFA-1 contains 10 regularly spaced cysteine residues with the same pattern: CX7CCX13CXCX14CX11CX4CX5CX10C (C symbolizes a conserved cysteine residue and X symbolizes any noncysteine amino acid). Human TAFA-2 is 97% aa identical to mouse TAFA-2 and is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), colon, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, and thymus, however its expression in the CNS is 50 to 1000 fold higher than in other tissues. The biological roles of TAFA family members have not yet been determined.

Interleukin 34 (IL34) is a cytokine that promotes the differentiation and viability of monocytes and macrophages through the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor and is a part of a group of cytokines called interleukins. IL34 increases growth or survival of immune cells known as monocytes. IL34 protein obtains its activity by binding the Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor. Interleukin 34 has also a potential part in viral infection, the adaptive immune response and bone marrow cell proliferation. Furthermore, IL34 plays an important role in innate immunity and in inflammatory processes.

Interleukin-7 is a potent lymphoid cell growth factor produced primarily by stromal cells.
IL-7 has been shown to support the proliferation and differentiation of pre B- and early T cells as well as displaying a biological effect on cells of NK and myeloid lineages.

CD55 belongs to the RCA (regulators of complement activation) family characterized by 4-30 SCRs (short consensus repeats) in their plasma-exposed regions. CD55 is widely expressed in malignant tumors and nevertheless functions as an inhibitor of the complement system.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines.

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.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that was previously called GRO1 oncogene, Neutrophil-activating protein 3 (NAP-3) and melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha (MSGA-a). It is secreted by human melanoma cells, has mitogenic properties and is implicated in melanoma pathogenesis. CXCL1 is expressed by macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells, and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. CXCL1 plays a role in spinal cord development by inhibiting the migration of oligodendrocyte precursors and is involved in the processes of angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. This chemokine elicits its effects by signaling through the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL1 is located on human chromosome 4 amongst genes for other CXC chemokines.

TNFR binds specifically to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and blocks its interaction with cell surface TNF receptors. TNF is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. It plays an important role in the inflammatory processes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and ankylosing spondylitis and the resulting joint pathology. In addition, TNF plays a role in the inflammatory process of plaque psoriasis. Elevated levels of TNF are found in involved tissues and fluids of patients with RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and plaque psoriasis. Two distinct receptors for TNF (TNFRs), a 55 kilodalton protein (p55) and a 75 kilodalton protein (p75), exist naturally as monomeric molecules on cell surfaces and in soluble forms. Biological activity of TNF is dependent upon binding to either cell surface TNFR. Recombinant Human TNFR is a dimeric soluble form of the p75 TNF receptor that can bind to two TNF molecules.
It inhibits the activity of TNF in vitro and has been shown to affect several animal models of inflammation, including murine collagen-induced arthritis. TNFR inhibits binding of both TNF? and TNF? (lymphotoxin alpha [LT?]) to cell surface TNFRs, rendering TNF biologically inactive. Cells expressing transmembrane TNF that bind to TNFR are not lysed in vitro in the presence or absence of complement.
TNFR can also modulate biological responses that are induced or regulated by TNF, including expression of adhesion molecules responsible for leukocyte migration (i.e., E-selectin and to a lesser extent intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1]), serum levels of cytokines (e.g., IL-6), and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3 or stromelysin).

Interleukin-21 receptor, also known as IL21R is a member of the type I cytokine receptors family. IL21R forms a heterodimeric receptor complex with the common gamma-chain, a receptor subunit which is also shared by the receptors for interleukin 2, 4, 7, 9, and 15. Furthermore, IL21 receptor transduces the growth promoting signal of IL21, and is significant for the proliferation as well as differentiation of T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. The ligand binding of IL21 receptor leads to the activation of numerous downstream signaling molecules, including JAK1, JAK3, STAT1, as well as STAT3.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 11 (CXCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokinen family. I-TAC is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, pancreas and liver, with moderate levels in thymus, spleen and lung and low expression levels were in small intestine, placenta and prostate. Gene expression of CXCL11 is strongly induced by IFN-g and IFN-b, and weakly induced by IFN-a. The I-TACchemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3, with a higher affinity than do the other ligands for this receptor, CXCL9 and CXCL10. I-TAC is chemotactic for activated T cells.The CXCL11 gene is located on human chromosome 4 along with many other members of the CXC chemokine family.

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).

Human AIF1 protein shares 98% homology/identity with that of rat. AIF1 is expressed in macrophages and neutrophils. The expression of AIF1 transcripts is upregulated by IFN-g in rat macrophages. AIF1 is expressed selectively in human macrophage-like cell lines, and in a subset of CD68(+) macrophages in the interstitial and perivascular spaces of human heart allografts. In quiescent cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells synthesis of AIF1 is induced by IFN-g, IL1b, and conditioned medium of T-cells. Overexpression of AIF1 in human VSMCs results in enhanced growth of these cells. AIF1 is expressed during apoptosis rat mammary gland and ventral prostate tissues. Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 is expressed by several tumor-associated activated macrophages and microglial cells in rat and human gliomas. There is an evident relationship of AIF1-expressing activated macrophages and microglial cells with tumor malignancy in humans.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel-Palade bodies. When first encountering an antigen, the primary cells to encounter it are the macrophages who phagocytose the particle. Upon processing, they release chemokines to signal other immune cells to come in to the site of inflammation. IL-8 is one such chemokine. It serves as a chemical signal that attracts neutrophils at the site of inflammation, and therefore is also known as Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor.

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.

Interleukin-18 receptor accessory protein (IL18RAP), belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines which holds multiple immunoregulatory functions. It has been found that IL18RAP does not mediate IL18-binding, however, IL18RAP is involved in IL18-dependent signal transduction, which leads to NF-kappa-B and JNK activation. IL18R1 as well as IL18RAP polymorphisms have been linked with the following diseases: schizophrenia, HSV1 seropositivity and atopic asthma.