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C-type Lectin Domain Family 2, Member B (CLEC2B) belongs to the C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like domain (CTL/CTLD) superfamily. Members of the CTL/CTLD family share a common protein fold and have various functions, such as cell adhesion, cell-cell signaling, glycoprotein turnover, and roles in inflammation and immune response. The CLEC2B gene is closely connected to other CTL/CTLD superfamily members on chromosome 12p13 in the natural killer gene complex region. CLEC2B is expressed preferentially in lymphoid tissues, and in most hematopoietic cell types.

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.

Clusterin also named Apolipoprotein J (APO-J) is a 75-80 kD disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein containing about 30% of N-linked carbohydrate rich in sialic acid but truncated forms targeted to the nucleus have also been identified.
The precursor polypeptide chain is cleaved proteolytically to remove the 22-mer secretory signal peptide and subsequently between residues 227/228 to generate the a and b chains. These are assembled in anti-parallel to give a heterodimeric molecule in which the cysteine-rich centers are linked by five disulfide bridges and are flanked by two predicted coiled-coil a-helices and three predicted amphipathic a-helices.
Across a broad range of species clusterin shows a high degree of sequence homology ranging from 70% to 80%. It is nearly ubiquitously expressed in most mammalian tissues and can be found in plasma, milk, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and semen.
It is able to bind and form complexes with numerous partners such as immunoglobulins, lipids, heparin, bacteria, complement components, paraoxonase, beta amyloid, leptin and others. Clusterin has been ascribed a plethora of functions such as phagocyte recruitment, aggregation induction, complement attack prevention, apoptosis inhibition, membrane remodeling, lipid transport, hormone transport and/or scavenging, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition.
A genuine function of clusterin has not been defined. One tempting hypothesis says that clusterin is an extracellular chaperone protecting cells from stress induced insults caused by degraded and misfolded protein precipitates.
Clusterin is up- or down regulated on the mRNA or protein level in many pathological and clinically relevant situations including cancer, organ regeneration, infection, Alzheimer disease, retinitis pigmentosa, myocardial infarction, renal tubular damage, autoimmunity and others.

Osteoclast-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor isoform 6 or OSCAR, is a receptor for surfactant protein D that can be found on human myeloid cells. OSCAR is part of the TNF-α release from human CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes process. The protein is involved in antigen presentation and activation of dendritic cells. Preosteoclasts or mature osteoclasts express the OSCAR protein. Patients that suffer from RA (rheumatoid arthritis) has upregulations on monocytes which present increased proosteoclastogenic potential.

C1QTNF3 also called Cartducin is a novel angiogenic factor in the formation of neointima following angioplasty. C1QTNF3 a paralog of Acrp30 (adiponectin). C1QTNF3 is a secretory protein produced by chondrogenic precursors & proliferating chondrocytes, and belongs to a novel C1q family of proteins. Cartducin promotes the growth of mesenchymal chondroprogenitor cells & chondrosarcoma-derived chondrocytic cells in vitro. Cartducin stimulates mesenchymal chondroprogenitor cell proliferation through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways. C1QTNF3 promotes proliferation & the migration of endothelial cells.

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) induces proliferation, migration, and fenestration in capillary endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. Its expression is induced by hypoxia and is restricted to the steroidogenic glands (ovary, testis, adrenal, and placenta). Its expression is often complementary to the expression of VEGF (MIM 192240), suggesting that these molecules function in a coordinated manner. EG-VEGF potently contracts gastrointestinal (gi) smooth muscle. Induces proliferation, migration and fenestration (the formation of membrane discontinuities) in capillary endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. Has little or no effect on a variety of other endothelial and non-endothelial cell types.

Fibrinogen gamma chain isoform gamma-A (FGG) is the gamma component of fibrinogen, which is a blood-borne glycoprotein, comprised of 3 pairs of nonidentical polypeptide chains. FGG along with fibrinogen alpha (FGA) and fibrinogen beta (FGB) polymerizes to form an insoluble fibrin matrix. Following vascular injury, FGG is cleaved by thrombin to create fibrin, which is the most abundant component of blood clots. FGG functions during the early stages of wound repair to stabilize the lesion and guide cell migration during re-epithelialization. Moreover, different cleavage products of fibrinogen and fibrin regulate cell adhesion and spreading, exhibit vasoconstrictor and chemotactic activities, and are mitogens for a number of cell types. Maternal fibrinogen is vital for successful pregnancy. FGG gene mutations lead to some disorders, including dysfibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia and thrombophilia. Fibrin accumulation is also linked with infection, where it protects against IFNG-mediated hemorrhage.

Caspase Recruitment Domain Family, Member 17 (CARD17) is a regulator of procaspase-1/CASP1 activation involved in the regulation of the proteolytic maturation of pro-IL-1beta/IL1B and its release throughout inflammation. CARD17 inhibits the release of IL1B in reaction to LPS in monocytes. Though, unlike CASP1, CARD17 do not induce NF-kappa-B activation.

CBX1 is an enriched heterochromatin which belongs to the heterochromatin protein family. The centromeres related CBX1 identifies and binds histone H3 tails methylated at 'Lys-9', causing epigenetic repression. Collaboration with lamin B receptor (LBR) can impact the relations between the heterochromatin and the inner nuclear membrane. CBX1 has a vital part in the epigenetic control of chromatin structure and gene expression.

Cell Growth Regulator with EF-Hand Domain 1, also known as CGREF1 is a secreted calcium ion binding protein. CGREF1 includes two EF-hand domains & both EF-hands are essential for function. CGREF1 is most likely digested extracellularly by an unfamiliar serine protease generating extremely hydrophobic bioactive peptides. CGREF1 mediates cell-cell adhesion in a calcium-dependent manner. In addition, CGREF1 is capable to inhibit growth in more than a few cell lines.

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).

SLAMF1 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and is involved in T-cell stimulation. The SLAMF1 protein is constitutively expressed on peripheral blood memory T cells, T-cell clones, immature thymocytes, and a fraction of B cells, and is swiftly induced on naive T cells after activation. There are probably 2 modes of SLAM signaling: one in which the inhibitor SH2D1A serves as a negative regulator and another in which protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2C (PTPN11)-dependent signal transduction functions.

Tropomyosin alpha-3 chain (TPM3) belongs to the tropomyosin family of actin-binding proteins involved in the contractile system of striated and smooth muscles and the cytoskeleton of non-muscle cells. Tropomyosins are dimers of coiled-coil proteins which polymerize end-to-end along the major groove in most actin filaments. Tropomyosins give stability to the filaments and regulate access of other actin-binding proteins. In muscle cells, tropomyosins regulate muscle contraction by controlling the binding of myosin heads to the actin filament. Mutations in the TPM3 gene cause autosomal dominant nemaline myopathy, and oncogenes formed by chromosomal translocations involving this locus are linked with cancer.

Wheat Gliadin and related gluten components from barley, rye and possibly oats can cause an abnormal immune response called Celiac disease which is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Celiac disease characteristics are flattening of the jejunal mucosa and intestinal lesions of variable severity in hereditarily inclined individuals. Even though Celiac disease is not a classic autoimmune disease it is related to anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and gliadin antibodies tests are most recommended in screening populations at risk for CD and other gluten-sensitive enteropathies. In the past, serologic tests for gliadin antibodies usually were not very precise and were not enough for accurate diagnosis due to missing deamidated epitopes within the authentic gliadin fraction traditionally used in diagnostic test kits. ProSpec's deamidated Gliadin isoform matches to the deamidated neo-epitopes, which in the natural antigen are formed by transglutaminase-mediated glutamine side chain deamidation.

Cell surface glycoprotein MUC18 (MCAM), is an integral membrane glycoprotein which is part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. MCAM is related with a variety of carcinomas such as tumor progression, metastasis and is also implicated in embryonic neural development. In Addition, MCAM takes part in cell adhesion, as well as in cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at the intercellular junctions in vascular tissue.

Reg protein was shown to be stimulated during the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Since then, many Reg-related proteins have been identified in humans and other animals. In human, the four REG family genes, i.e., REG 1 alpha, REG 1 beta, REG-related sequence (RS) and HIP/PAP, have so far been isolated. These Reg-related proteins are classified into four subfamilies according to their amino-acid sequences, but they share a similar structure and physiological function. Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggests that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus. Human REG cDNA which encodes a 166-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid signal peptide. The amino acid sequence of human REG protein has 68% homology to that of rat Reg protein.
Reg I was found to be expressed mainly in pancreatic beta and acinoductular cells as well as gastric fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Reg I production in ECL cells is stimulated by gastrin, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2Beta. In patients with chronic hypergastrinemia, Reg production is stimulated, with the increased proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection also showed increased Reg production in the gastric mucosa, partly via increased plasma gastrin concentration and partly via increased proinflammatory cytokine production. The serum concentration of the reg-protein was significantly higher in patients with various pancreatic diseases than in normal controls, and was also significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic relapsing pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, the serum PSP/reg-protein concentration was also significantly increased in liver cirrhosis, choledocholithiasis, and various cancers of the digestive system.

The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-1 is an autocrine negative growth factor that regulates cell proliferation. Galectin-1 regulates cell apoptosis and cell differentiation. Galectin-1 binds CD45, CD3 and CD4 & inhibits CD45 protein phosphatase activity and therefore the dephosphorylation of lyn kinase. Galectin-1 and its ligands are one of the master regulators of immune responses as T-cell homeostasis and survival, T-cell immune disorders, inflammation and allergies as well as host–pathogen interactions. Galectin-1 expression or overexpression in tumors and/or the tissue surrounding them must be considered as a sign of the malignant tumor progression that is often related to the long-range dissemination of tumoral cells (metastasis), to their dissemination into the surrounding normal tissue, and to tumor immune-escape. Galectin-1 in its oxidized form plays a number of important roles in the regeneration of the central nervous system after injury. The targeted overexpression (or delivery) of Galectin-1 should be considered as a method of choice for the treatment of some kinds of inflammation-related diseases, neurodegenerative pathologies and muscular dystrophies. In contrast, the targeted inhibition of Galectin-1 expression is what should be developed for therapeutic applications against cancer progression. Galectin-1 is thus a promising molecular target for the development of new and original therapeutic tools. There is 88% homology between the human and mouse galectin-1.

S100A16 belongs to the S100 protein super family containing calcium-binding EF-hand motifs. S100 proteins are cell and tissue specific and are engaged in various intra and extracellular processes through interacting with specific target proteins. The S100A16 expression is astrocyte-specific. S100A16 accumulates within nucleoli and translocates to the cytoplasm in reaction to Ca(2+) stimulation. S100A16 physically interacts with tumor suppressor protein p53 (which is a known inhibitor of adipogenesis) as determined Immunoprecipitation analysis.

Human Cystatin A (CSTA or Stefin A) belongs to family 1 of the cystatin superfamily, which is characterized by the lack of disulphide bonds and carbohydrates. CSTA is an intracellular inhibitor regulating the activities of cysteine proteases of the papain family such as Cathepsins B, H and L. Cystatin A has also been implicated in several disease states. Because of altered proteolytic state in cancer progression, CSTA may have a role in the proteolitic pathways.

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II DO Alpha (HLA-DOA) is a significant modulator in the HLA class II restricted antigen presentation pathway by interaction with the HLA-DM molecule in B-cells. HLA-DOA forms a heterodimer along with HLA-DOB. The heterodimer is located in lysosomes in B cells and regulates HLA-DM-mediated peptide loading on MHC class II molecules. HLA-DOA exhibits very little sequence variation, particularly at the protein level.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade B Member 8 (SERPINB8) belongs to the ov-serpin subfamily, which, compared with the archetypal serpin PI1, is characterized by a high degree of homology to chicken ovalbumin, absence of N- and C-terminal extensions, lack of a signal peptide, and a serine instead of an asparagine residue at the penultimate position. The superfamily of high molecular weight serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) control various intracellular and extracellular processes such as complement activation, fibrinolysis, coagulation, cellular differentiation, tumor suppression, apoptosis, and cell migration.

Endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM1) is a proteoglycan secreted by endothelial cells (mostly in the human lung and kidney tissues) and its mRNA expression is regulated by inflammatory cytokines. ESM1 has potent implications in lung endothelial cell-leukocyte interactions. In addition, ESM1 expression is detected in various epithelia and in adipocytes. ESM1 is involved in angiogenesis and it also promotes angiogenic sprouting. ESM1 expression is upregulated by TNF alpha, IL1 beta, or lipopolysaccharide and downregulated by IFN gamma. Genetically engineered cells overexpressing ESM1 induce tumor formation, implying that ESM1 might be involved in the pathophysiology of tumor growth in vivo.

Lumican also known as LUM belongs to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family which comprises decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, keratocan, epiphycan, and osteoglycin. Furthermore we can see that in these bifunctional molecules, the protein moiety binds collagen fibrils and the highly charged hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans regulate interfibrillar spacings. Lumican is the main keratan sulfate proteoglycan of the cornea however LUM is also distributed in interstitial collagenous matrices throughout the body. Lumican regulates collagen fibril organization and circumferential growth, corneal transparency, epithelial cell migration and tissue repair. Among the diseases associated with LUM is posterior amorphous corneal dystrophy.