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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.

EBNA1BP2 is a part of the EBP2 family which is required for the processing of the 27S pre-rRNA. EBNA1BP2 interacts with EBV EBNA1. EBNA1-EBP2 interaction is essential for the stable segregation of EBV episomes throughout cell division.

Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Human Galectin-7 belongs to the prototypical Galectins containing a single CRD, which is initially identified in human epidermis as a monomer. The Galectin-7 expression is induced by tumor suppressor protein p53 and associated with apoptosis. Galectin-7 is a pro-apoptotic protein which functions intracellularlly upstream of JNK activation and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. The correlation of Galectin-7 with the UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes presents a critical mechanism in the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis. Human Galectin-7 is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm.

Haptoglogin participates in intestinal permeability, permitting intercellular tight junction disassembly, and controlling the equilibrium among tolerance and immunity to non-self antigens. Haptoglobin has antibacterial activity and takes part in modulating many aspects of the acute phase response. Haptoglobin is processed to yield both alpha and beta chains, which later unite as a tetramer to produce haptoglobin. Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin (Hb) secreted from erythrocytes In blood plasma with high affinity and thus inhibits its oxidative activity. Further, the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex is being removed by the reticuloendothelial system.

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.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

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.

GDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of minergic neurons in culture, and is able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF enhances survival and morphological differentiation of minergic neurons and increases their high-affinity uptake.

Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor, 3 Domains Long Cytoplasmic Tail 2 (KIR3DL2) is a type 1 transmembrane protein of the p70 family of killer cell Ig-like receptors. KIR3DL2 is a receptor on NK cells for HLA-A alleles which Inhibits their activity consequently preventing cell lysis.

Synaptobrevin-2 or VAMP2 is a protein that has a proline-rich N-terminal part, highly conserved hydrophilic domain, a transmembrane anchor and a C-terminal.VAMP2 found in the transmembrane region of the cell, in the cytoplasmic surface of the synaptic vesicle. The protein is mainly found in the Langerhans islets in the pancreas and glomerular cells in the kidney. A SNARE complex is created within the protein’s N-terminal domain and the target membrane-associated T.

Gltathione S-transferase PI 2, also known as GSTP2 is multifunctional enzyme which is involved in theprotection of cellular components against anti-cancer drugs or peroxidative stress. Furthermore, down regulation of GSTP2induces an increase of oxidative damage in the pyramidal cells of the CA1&CA3 regions as well as in the granular layer ofthe dentate gyrus, which at the end leads to structural and functional damage.

CD28 co-stimulation is necessary for CD4 positive T-cell proliferation & survival, interleukin-2 production, and T-helper type-2 development. Human post-thymic regulatory T cells require CD28 co-stimulation to expand and maintain potent suppressive function in vivo. Apoptosis plays a key role in the age-related decline of CD28 expression and in immunosenescence.

A natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) NKp46 has been shown to represent a novel NK cell-specific molecule involved in human NK cell activation. The natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are a recently characterized family of Ig-like activation receptors that appear to be major triggering receptors in tumor cell recognition. The three known NCRs include NKp46 and NKp30, which are expressed on circulating NKcells, and NKp44, which is expressed only on activating NK cells. NKp46 has been implicated in NK cell-mediated lysis of several autologous tumor cells, pathogen-infected cell lines and mononuclear phagocytes infected with an intracellular bacterium. The Lysis of tumor cells by NK-cells involves recognition by NKp46 of heparan sulfate moieties of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Furthermore, NKp46 is a surface receptor involved in NK-cell cell death by apoptosis. NKp46 has two extracellular Ig-like domains followed by a ~40 residue stalk region, a type I transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular Ig-like domain of NKp46 (22-255aa) is purified by FPLC gel-filtration chromatography, after refolding of the isolated inclusion bodies in a redox buffer. In addition, engagement of the antigen with the monoclonal antibody stimulates intracellular calcium levels and the synthesis of cytokines. CD59 is an NKp46 coreceptor (by physical association) together they activate cytotoxicity of human NK-cells, their engagement results in tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3-zeta chains associated with NKp46. Reduced cell surface expression of NKp46 and other NK-cell receptors is linked to the impaired NK-cell cytolytic function in viremic HIV-1 infection.

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that stimulates the production of IFNgamma from T-cells and natural killer cells, and also induces differentiation of Th1 helper cells. It is an initiator of cell-mediated immunity.

BAT1 belongs to the DEAD box family of RNA-dependent ATPases that mediate ATP hydrolysis during pre-mRNA splicing. UAP56 protein is a vital splicing factor which is needed for connecting U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein with pre-mRNA, as well as takes a key part in mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Mutations in this protein may be connected to rheumatoid arthritis.

Cluster of Differentiation 244 (CD244/Natural Killer Cell Receptor 2B4) contains 2 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domains. CD244 is a cell surface receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells (and some T cells) which mediate non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted killing. NK-cell and target cells interaction via the CD244 receptor is believed to modulate NK-cell cytolytic activity. CD244 molecules function in eosinophil adhesion and chemotaxis, and have a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR).

CD5 antigen-like (CD5L) participates in the regulation of the immune system. CD5L functions as an inhibitor of apoptosis. CD5L is expressed in the spleen, lymph node, thymus and bone marrow.

CNDP Dipeptidase 1, also known as CNDP1 is a member of the peptidase M20A family. CNDP1 Mannheim which is the shortest allelic form has been more common in the absence of nephropathy in addition to being associated with lower serum carnosinase levels. Furthermore, Carnosine inhibited the increased production of fibronectin as well as collagen type VI in podocytes and the increased production of TGF-beta in mesangial cells. Diabetic patients with the CNDP1 Mannheim variant are less at risk for nephropathy. In addition, on renal cells carnosine protects against the adverse effects of high glucose levels.

HD Domain Containing 2, also known as HDDC2 is a member of the HDDC2 family. HDDC2 is an enzyme which contains one HD domain and it is expected to exhibit phosphohydrolase activity. It has been proposed that HDDC2 takes part in nucleic acid metabolism, signal transduction and possibly other functions in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. The HD domain consists of highly conserved residues, in particular histidines or aspartates. Porphyria cutanea tarda, Parkinson’s disease and Stickler syndrome have all been related with HDDC2.

Ras-related protein Ral-A (RALA) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily, Ras family of proteins. RALA mediates a distinct downstream signaling pathway from Ras which facilitates cellular transformation. Furthermore, RALA is thought to be involved in various signaling cascades, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, vesicle trafficking, and endocytosis.