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Fas apoptotic inhibitory molecule, also known as FAIM function as an inducible effector molecule which mediates Fas resistance produced by surface Ig engagement in B cells. In addition FAIM protects against death receptor-triggered apoptosis and regulates B-cell signaling and differentiation. Among the diseases associated with FAIM are hemorrhagic thrombocythemia, and food allergy.

Myxovirus Resistance 1, also known as MX1 is a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-metabolizing protein which takes part in the cellular antiviral response. MX1 is induced by type I and type II IFN, and also antagonizes the replication process of some different RNA & DNA viruses. In addition, there is a related gene located adjacent to MX1 on chromosome 21, and there are multiple pseudogenes positioned in a cluster on chromosome 4.

Human IL-36b belongs to the IL-1 family that 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-36 beta is known to be actively secreted. Cells expressing IL-36 beta include resting and activated monocytes and B cells. The receptor for IL-36 beta is a blend of IL-1 Rrp2 and IL-1 RAcP. Recombinant IL-36 beta stimulates processes involving NF-kB and MAPK in an IL-1 Rrp2-dependent manner.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

The type II transmembrane protein FASLG is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. A fas ligand/receptor interaction has a significant part in the regulation of the immune system and the advancement of cancer. FASLG is expressed on the activated T cell surface as a nondisulfidelinked homotrimer. FASLG binding to Fas/CD95/TNFRSF6 on a nearby cell prompts apoptosis in the Fas expressing cell. FASLG is released from the cell surface by metalloproteinases as a soluble molecule that stays trimeric and is able to bind with Fas, but its capability to activate apoptosis is radically reduced. In addition, FASLG binds to DcR3 - a soluble trap receptor with no signal transduction capabilities. Flawed Fas-mediated apoptosis causes oncogenesis in addition to drug resistance in existing tumors. Constitutive expression of FASLG in a variety of tumors enables their immune evasion. Both mouse and human FASLG are active on mouse and human cells.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein functions as a modifier of endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as an angiogenic factor. It acts as a mitogen for a variety of mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro, thus is thought to be involved in organogenesis. Three alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been described. The binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. There are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

Midkine (MK) is the product of a retinoic acid responsive gene. It contains 121 amino acid residues including 10 conserved cysteine residues, all of which appear to be disulphide linked.
Midkine is expressed during embryogenesis, showing an expression pattern that suggests functions in neurogenesis, cell migration, secondary organogenetic induction, and mesoderm-epithelial interaction.
The widespread downregulation of MK in the adult human is reverted in a number of cancers, in which polypeptides are able to act as both transforming growth factors and promoters of angiogenesis.
Midkine (MK), induces chemotaxis of human neutrophils and was found to trigger mobilization of intracellular calcium of these cells.
Midkine induces histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells with a rapid response in a dose dependent manner.
Midkine is also a potent stimulator of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.

CDNF is a member of the ARMET family and acts as a trophic factor for neurons. CDNF inhibits the 6-hydroxy (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of neurons. When CDNF controlled after 6-OHDA-lesioning, it reestablishes the function and inhibits the degeneration of neurons in substantia nigra. CDNF is universally expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. The highest levels in the brain are found in the optic nerve and corpus callosum.

PEDF is a neurotrophic protein that induces extensive neuronal differentiation in retinoblastoma cells. SerpinF1 is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. EPC1 doesn’t undergo the stressed to relaxed conformation transition characteristic as of the active serpins since it exhibits no serine protease inhibitory activity.
Aqueous humour level of asymmetric dimethylarginine is correlated with PEDF in humans. ADMA and PEDF levels are increased in response to inflammation in uveitis.
Lack of PEDF expression is a potent factor for the enhancement of tumor growth and angiogenesis in breast cancer.
PEDF & VEGF genes contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy.
PEDF and VEGF structural changes in blood vessel wall play an important role in the pathophysiology of PD patients.
PEDF-overexpressing tumors exhibited reduced intratumoral angiogenesis.
SerpinF1 is a new promising approach for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Levels of the natural ocular anti-angiogenic factor SentrinF1 (PEDF) is associated with proliferative retinopathy.
VEGF secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells upregulates PEDF expression via VEGFR-1 in an autocrine manner.
Sentrin-F1 concentration in the aqueous humor of diabetic patients predicts who will develop progression of retinopathy.
PEDF blocks angiogenic effects of leptin through its anti-oxidative properties.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. This cytokine is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of this cytokine is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). This gene, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. This cytokine, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Non-homologous end-joining factor 1 (NHEJ1) is a member of the XLF family. NHEJ1 is a DNA repair factor vital for the nonhomologous end-joining pathway, which preferentially mediates repair of double-stranded breaks. NHEJ1 gene mutations cause different kinds of severe combined immunodeficiency disorders. NHEJ1 was initially detected as the protein mutated in five patients with growth retardation, microcephaly, and immunodeficiency. In addition, patients with NHEJ1 mutations have immunodeficiency caused by a defect in V(D)J recombination, which employs NHEJ to promote immune system diversity.

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.

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) belongs to the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. The CTGF family members are characterized by 4 conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like (CT) domain. WISP2 protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization binding. WISP2 is possibly involved in bone remodeling. WISP2 is expressed in primary osteoblasts and fibroblasts. WISP2 stimulates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits osteocalcin production. WISP2 expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other 2 WISP members are overexpressed in colon tumors. WISP2 may play an imperative role in modulating bone turnover.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) is a member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase family. CDKN3 was identified as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and was shown to interact with, and dephosphorylate CDK2 kinase, consequently prevent the activation of CDK2 kinase. In addition CDKN3 is important in cell cycle regulation. The CDKN3 gene was reported to be deleted, mutated, or overexpressed in several kinds of cancers.

CD59 is a cell surface glycoprotein which regulates complement-mediated cell lysis, and it is involved in lymphocyte signal transduction. CD59 is an effective inhibitor of the complement membrane attack complex, whereby it binds complement C8 and/or C9 during the compilation of this complex, thus inhibiting the incorporation of multiple copies of C9 into the complex, which is essential for osmolytic pore formation. In addition, CD59 has a role in signal transduction pathways in the activation of T cells. CD59 gene mutations cause CD59 deficiency, a disease resulting in hemolytic anemia and thrombosis, and which causes cerebral infarction.

SARS Membrane protein is a membranal protein which plays a crucial role in the virus’ life cycle. This protein has 3 outer cell structural antigens, the envelope (E), membrane (M)and spike (S) antigens. SARS Membrane protein is essential to the process of assembly, budding, creation of the envelope and pathogenesis.

ANXA1 is part of the family of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid binding proteins which have a Mw between 35kDa-40kDa and are situated on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. ANXA1 protein has a Mw of 40kDa, with phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity to bind from two to four calcium ions with high affinity. Since phospholipase A2 is necessary for the biosynthesis of the potent mediators of inflammation, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, ANXA1 might have potential anti-inflammatory activity. ANXA1 promotes membrane fusion and iplays a role in exocytosis. The recognition of ANXA1 protein by immunocytochemical leads a simple, highly sensitive and specific assay for diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia.

Basic transcription factor 3 (BTF3), which is a member of the NAC-beta family, forms a stable complex with RNA polymerase II. The BTF3 protein is vital for the initiation of transcription.

IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.