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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.

Defensins are cationic peptides with a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. The Alpha defensins are differentiated from the Beta-defensins by the pairing of their 3 disulfide bonds.
4 human Beta-defensins have been identified to date; BD-1, BD-2, BD-3 and BD-4.
Beta-defensins are expressed on some leukocytes and at epithelial surfaces.
In addition to their direct antimicrobial activities, they are chemoattractant towards immature dendritic cells and memory T cells. The beta-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence and, in the case of BD-1 (36 a.a.), a propeptide region. Beta-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Beta-Defensins are 3-5 kDa peptides ranging in size from 33-47 amino acid residues.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as eotaxin. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand include CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5. The gene for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

IL2 is a secreted cytokine that is important for the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterotrimeric protein complex whose gamma chain is also shared by interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 7 (IL7). The expression of this gene in mature thymocytes is monoallelic, which represents an unusual regulatory mode for controlling the precise expression of a single gene. The targeted disruption of a similar gene in mice leads to ulcerative colitis-like disease, which suggests an essential role of this gene in the immune response to antigenic stimuli.

IL-28A is distantly related to type I IFNs and the IL-10 family. Expression of IL-28A 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-28A exhibits common features with type I IFNs such as antiviral activity, antiproliferative activity and in vivo antitumour activity.
IL-28A 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-lambda 3 are closely positioned genes on human chromosome 19.
IL-28A induces ELR(-) CXC chemokine mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in an IFN-gamma-independent manner.
IL-28A is able to generate tolerogenic DCs, an activity that could thwart IFN-beta functions. IL-28A 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.

Syntaxin 4 (STX4) is a member of the syntaxin/epimorphin family of proteins. The Syntaxin family is cellular receptors for transport vesicles which participate in exocytosis in neutrophils. Syntaxin 4 is vital for normal regulation of glucose metabolism uptake in skeletal muscle and decline in STX4 protein levels lead to reduction of whole-body hormone-stimulated glucose metabolism. STX4 is expressed in neutrophils and neutrophil-differentiated HL-60 cells. The STX4 expression in neutrophils increases with differentiation.

IL-32 is part of the cytokine family and contains a tyrosine sulfation site, 3 potential N-myristoylation sites, multiple putative phosphorylation sites, and an RGD cell-attachment sequence. IL-32 expression is elevated after the activation of T-cells by mitogens or the activation of NK cells by IL-2. IL-32 induces the production of TNF-a from macrophage cells. IL-32 pro-inflammatory pathway is activated in response to influenza A virus infection. Dysregulation of IL-32 in myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia modulates apoptosis and impairs NK function.
Induction of TNF, IL-1beta, and IL-6 by IL-32 is intervened by p38-MAPK. IL-32 induced monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation is mediated through nonapoptotic, caspase-3-dependent mechanisms. IL32 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. IL-32 is involved in activation-induced cell death in T cells, through its intracellular actions. IL-32 is a cell-associated proinflammatory cytokine, which is particularly stimulated by mycobacteria through a caspase-1- and IL-18-dependent production of interferon gamma.
IL-32 is associated with TNF-a, IL-1beta, and IL-18. IL32 is involved in human rheumatoid arthritis and is a novel target in autoimmune diseases.

IL-17F having an accession number of Q96PD4 is a cytokine that shares sequence similarity with IL17. IL-17F is expressed by activated T cells, and has been shown to stimulate the production of several other cytokines, including IL6, IL8, and CSF2/GM-CSF. IL-17F inhibits the angiogenesis of endothelial cells and induce endothelial cells to produce IL2, TGFB1/TGFB, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. IL-17F induces stromal cells to produce proinflammatory and hematopoietic cytokines. Intestinal IL17F gene expression is increased in active CD.
IL-17A & IL-17F alleles influence the susceptibility to and pathophysiological features of ulcerative colitis independently. IL-17F and MIF gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with the development of functional dyspepsia.
The initiation of IL-17F/IL-17R signaling pathway requires the receptor ubiquitination by TRAF6. IL-17F induces expression of IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) by activating Raf1-mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2-extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2-p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-cyclic AMP response element-binding protein signaling pathway.

Human IL-36a belongs to the IL-1 family which includes IL-1b, IL-1a, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-36ra (IL1F5), IL-36b (IL1F8), IL-36g (IL1F9), IL-37 (IL1F7) and IL-38 (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-36a is an 18-22kDa, 158aa intracellular and secreted protein which holds no signal sequence, no prosegment and no potential from N-linked glycosylation sites. IL-36a is released as a reaction to LPS and the cell ATP-induced activation of the P2X7 receptor.
Human IL-36a (aa 6-158) shares 57-68% aa sequence homology with mouse, rabbit, equine and bovine IL-36a and 27-57% aa sequence homology with other new IL-1 family members. IL-36a is mostly found in skin and lymphoid tissues, but also in fetal brain, trachea, stomach and intestine.

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.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer.

GDF-11 belongs to the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. GDF-11 is a central developmental factor which controls muscular and neural development. In adults, GDF-11 encourages cardiac hypertrophy reverse by the revival of cardiomyocytes.

Thyroglobulin (TG) represents one of the main autoantigenic targets in autoimmune thyroid disease of humans. TG is a large globular dimeric glycoprotein with a total molecular weight of 660 kDa, which occupies a key precursor role in the biosynthesis of the thyroid hormones. Approximately 75% of the total protein content of the thyroid follicle consists of TG. The thyroid gland uses the Thyroglobulin in order to produce the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroglobulin is produced by the thyroid epithelial cells (thyrocytes) which form spherical follicles. Thyroglobulin is subsequently secreted and stored in the follicular lumen.
Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease, frequently develop antibodies against Thyroglobulin. Tg-specific antibodies help in the diagnosis of the above diseases, however they also may be present in apparently healthy euthyroid individuals. Blood Thyroglobulin levels can be used as a tumor marker for certain kinds of thyroid cancer, and the may also be elevated in cases of Graves' disease.

APOA1 (Apolipoprotein A-1) is a protein with a specific role in lipid metabolism being the main protein component of HDL in the plasma. APOA1 promotes cholesterol efflux from tissues to the liver for excretion. Furthermore, APOA1 is a cofactor for LCAT, which is responsible for the formation of most plasma cholesteryl esters. In addition, APOA1 activates spermatozoa motility as part of the SPAP complex. The APOA1 gene is strongly linked with two other apolipoprotein genes on chromosome 11. Defects in the APOA1 gene are linked to HDL deficiency including Tangier disease, and with systemic non-neuropathic amyloidosis. High levels of APOA1 are linked to the manifestation of asthma and atopy.

Keratin 8 and 18 (K8/18) are the major components of intermediate filament (IF) proteins of simple or single-layered epithelia.

The clinical use of the potent anti-tumor activity of TNF-a has been limited by the proinflammatory side effects including fever, dose-limiting hypotension, hepatotoxicity, intravascular thrombosis, and hemorrhage. Designing clinically applicable TNF-a mutants with low systemic toxicity has been an intense pharmacological interest. Human TNF-a, which binds to the murine TNF-R55 but not to the mouse TNF-R75, exhibits retained anti-tumor activity and reduced systemic toxicity in mice compared with murine TNF-a, which binds to both murine TNF receptors. Based on these results, many TNF-? mutants that selectively bind to TNF-R55 have been designed. These mutants displayed cytotoxic activities on tumor cell lines in vitro, and exhibited lower systemic toxicity in vivo.
Recombinant Human TNF-a Variant/Mutant compared with the wild-type, has an amino acid sequence deletion from a.a. 1-7, and the following a.a. substitutes Arg8, Lys9, Arg10 and Phe157 which is proven tohave more activity and with less inflammatory side effect in vivo.

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.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor belongs to the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 (Cystein rich 61), CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor), Nov (Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene), WISP-1, 2 and 3 (Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins). The CCN genes encode secreted proteins associated with the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and cell membrane. CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets and are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage and bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, and pathologies such as: fibrosis, vascular ailments and tumorigenesis.
Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation and behave as oncogenes. The full length protein consists of four modulesModule I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs).
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat (VWC).
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1) (WSXCSXXCG), which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates and to be important for cell adhesion. Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins. Module IV resembles the CT domain of several extracellular protein including, Von Willebrand's factor and mucins. Sequence similarities to heparin-binding motifs are also found within this domain. Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 and CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 and CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas and angioleiomyomas, and in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy. In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

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.

Chlamydia is a common term for infection with any bacterium belonging to the phylum Chlamydiae. This term derives from the name of the bacterial genusChlamydiain the family Chlamydiaceae, order Chlamydiales, class and phylum Chlamydiae. There are two genera in Chlamydiaceae: Chlamydia and Chlamydophila. The genus Chlamydia includes three species: C. trachomatis, C. muridarum, and C. suis.

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.