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The HbA1c shows the average amount of glucose in the blood over a period of 3 months. Sugar in the bloodstream can become attached to the hemoglobin in red blood cells (glycosylation). Once the sugar is attached, it stays there for the life of the red blood cell, which is about 120 days. The higher the level of blood sugar, the more sugar attaches to red blood cells. The HbA1c is formed in a non-enzymatic pathway by hemoglobin's standard exposure to elevated plasma levels of glucose. HbA1c is tested to monitor nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetes mellitus.

NELL2 is expressed in large quantities in neural tissues and has a significant role in the development of neural tissues. In addition, NELL protein has six epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat domains which plays a part in calcium binding.

Factor IX is a glycoprotein, which is synthesized in the liver. The domain structure of factor IX is similar to that of the other vitamin K dependent coagulation factors. The NH2-terminal region contains 12 g-carboxyglutamic acid (gla) residues, which facilitate the calcium dependent binding of factor IX to negatively charged phospholipid surfaces. Two domains which are homologous to epidermal growth factor (EGF) span the region between the NH2-terminal gla domain and the activation peptide (Ala-146 to Arg-180). Factor IX is activated by either factor XIa or the factor VIIa/tissue factor/phospholipid complex. Cleavage at site A yields the intermediate IXa, which is subsequently converted to the fully active form IXab by cleavage at site B. The NH2-terminal light chain (GLA and EGF domains) remains covalently attached to the COOH-terminal heavy chain by a disulfide bond. The serine protease catalytic triad (Ser-365, His 221, Asp-269) is located in the heavy chain. Factor IXab is the catalytic component of the “intrinsic factor Xase complex” (factor VIIIa/IXa/Ca2+/phospholipid) which proteolytically activates factor X to factor Xa.

IL13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. IL-13 is involved in several stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression, and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells. This cytokine down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This cytokine is found to be critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma but operates through mechanisms independent of IgE and eosinophils. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL4, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL4.

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.

Interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-1 (IL13RA1) is a subunit of the interleukin 13 receptor. The IL13RA1 subunit forms a receptor complex with IL4 receptor alpha, which is a subunit shared by IL13 and IL4 receptors. IL13RA1 binds tyrosine kinase TYK2, and thus may mediate the signaling processes which leads to the activation of JAK1, STAT3 and STAT6 induced by IL13 and IL4. IL13RA1 is vital for allergen-induced airway hyperactivity and mucus hypersecretion.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IL4 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL4 is a ligand for interleukin 4 receptor. The interleukin 4 receptor also binds to IL13, which contributes to various overlapping roles of this cytokine and IL13. STAT6, a signal transducer and activator of transcription plays a main role in mediating the immune regulatory signal of this cytokine. IL4, IL3, IL5, IL13, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL13. IL4, IL13 and IL5 are regulated co-ordinately by several long-range regulatory elements in an over 120 kilobase range on the chromosome.

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.

BAFF binds to tnfrsf13b/taci and tnfrsf17/bcma. Tnfsf13/april binds to the same 2 receptors, together, they form a 2 ligands -2 receptors pathway involved in the stimulation of b- and t-cell function and the regulation of humoral immunity. A third b-cell specific baff-receptor (baffr/br3) promotes the survival of mature b-cells and the b-cell response.
B Lymphocyte Stimulator functions as a potent B-cell growth factor in costimulation assays.
Administration of BAFF Human recombinant to mice disrupts splenic B-cell and T-cell zones and results in elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin.

BPI encodes a lipopolysaccharide binding protein. BPI is related to human neutrophil granules and has bactericidal activity on gram-negative organisms.

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.

Shiga-like toxin (verotoxin) is a toxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. Shiga-like toxin is named for its similarity to the AB5-type Shiga toxin produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae. There are two known types-SLT1 and SLT2. The Shiga-like toxin is linked with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Shiga-like toxin requires highly specific receptors on the cells'' surface in order to attach and enter the cell. Species such as cattle, swine, and deer which do not carry these receptors may harbor toxigenic bacteria without any ill effect, dropping them in their feces, from where they may be distributed to humans. Shiga Like Toxin-1 Subunit B has nontoxic action, it is the functional region which binds to the receptor. The Shiga Like Toxin-1 Subunit B can be useful in vaccine study, antibody test and other functional research.

Hepatitis B is one of a few known non-retroviralviruses which employ reverse transcriptionas a part of its replication process. (HIV, a completely unrelated virus, also uses reverse transcription, but it is a retrovirus.) HBV invades the cell by binding to surface receptor and become internalized. The viral core particles then migrate to the hepatocyte nucleus and the partially double-stranded, relaxed circular genomes (RC-DNA) are repaired to form a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which is the template for viral genomic and sub-genomic RNAs by cellular RNA polymerase II. Of these, the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA is selectively packaged into progeny capsids and is then reverse-transcribed into new RC-DNA. The core can either bud into the endoplasmic reticulum to be enveloped or exported from the cell or recycled back into the genome for conversion to cccDNA.

CMV belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae which includes herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latentover long periods. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

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.

IL-29 is distantly related to type I interferons and the IL-10 family. Expression of IL-29 is induced by viral infection which interacts with a heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor that consists of interleukin 10 receptor, beta (IL10RB) and interleukin 28 receptor, alpha. IL-29 exhibits common features with type I IFNs such as antiviral activity, antiproliferative activity and in vivo antitumour activity.
IL-29 acts similarly to IFNs, but is less effective generally and has activity in a more limited range of cell lines. IFN-ambda 1, IFN-lambda 2 and IFN-lambda3 are closely positioned genes on human chromosome 19.
IL-29 induces ELR(-) CXC chemokine mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in an IFN-gamma-independent manner.
IL-29 is able to generate tolerogenic DCs, an activity that could thwart IFN-beta functions. IL-29 produced in response to viral infection, activates both monocytes and macrophages producing a restricted panel of cytokines and therefore is an important factor in activating innate immune responses at the site of viral infection.
IFN-Lambda 1 antiviral and antiproliferative activity requires Interferon-Lambda 2 receptor tyrosine residues.

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.

TNFRSF14, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein. TNFRSF14 is expressed in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. TNFRSF14 operates as a co-stimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. Additionally, TNFRSF14 encourages the proliferation of T cells, and triggers apoptosis of various tumor cells.

Numerous forms of Bartonellosis are caused by Bartonella henselae as well as Cat Scratch Disease & Bacillary Angiomatosis. It has been found that up to 95% of patients with Cat Scratch Disease show antibodies against Bartonella henselae antigens. Highly immunoreactive proteins which are produced by the Bartonella henselae are the most important antigens used for the diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease. The immunogenic protein dihydrolipoamide-succinyltransferase also named SucB is an enzyme of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, which catalyzes the transport of a succinyl group from the S-succinyldihydrolipoyl moiety to coenzyme A.