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Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel-Palade bodies. When first encountering an antigen, the primary cells to encounter it are the macrophages who phagocytose the particle. Upon processing, they release chemokines to signal other immune cells to come in to the site of inflammation. IL-8 is one such chemokine. It serves as a chemical signal that attracts neutrophils at the site of inflammation, and therefore is also known as Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor.

Integrins are heterodimeric proteins consist of alpha and beta subunits. There are more than 18 alpha and 8 beta subunits discovered in mammals. Integrin family members are membrane receptors that participates in cell adhesion and recognition in a variety of processes including embryogenesis, hemostasis, tissue repair, immune response and metastatic diffusion of tumor cells. ITGB1 encodes a beta subunit.

CD207 (C-type lectin domain family 4 member K) is expressed in Langerhans cells which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. Moreover, CD207 is expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules, the organelles present in the cytoplasm of Langerhans cells and comprised of superimposed and zippered membranes. CD207 is a C-type lectin with mannose binding specificity, and it has been suggested that mannose binding by the CD207 protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules thus providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.

Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of betaine and homocysteine to dimethylglycine and methionine, respectively. BHMT displays differential expression in a model of liver cirrhosis.

PGAM1 is part of the phosphoglycerate mutase family. PGAM1 is an essential component of glucose and 2,3-BPGA (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate) metabolism and catalyzes the reversible reaction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) to 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) in the glycolytic pathway. PGAM1 is a dimeric enzyme containing, in different tissues, different proportions of a slow-migrating muscle (MM) isozyme, a fast-migrating brain (BB) isozyme, and a hybrid form (MB). PGAM1 mutations lead to muscle phosphoglycerate mutase deficiency, a.k.a. glycogen storage disease X.

HMOX1 cleaves the heme ring at the alpha methene bridge to form Biliverdin. Biliverdin is then converted to Bilirubin by Biliverdin reductase. In physiological state, the highest activity of HMOX1 is found in the spleen, where senescent erythrocytes are sequestrated and destroyed. Heme Oxygenase-1 is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function and its adaptive response to a variety of stressors. HMOX1 is induced in the colon of ulcerative colitis. HMOX1 is found to overexpress with a higher extent of intraplaque angiogenesis implies a multi-faceted role for HMOX1 in modulating the progression of atherosclerosis. HMOX1 expression reduced LPS-stimulated secretion of MCP-1, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in murine and human macrophages.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) 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 officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

CXCL14 is involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. BRAK protein is structurally related to the CXC (Cys-X-Cys) subfamily of cytokines. CXCL14 displays chemotactic activity for monocytes but not for lymphocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils or macrophages. CXCL14 is involved in the homeostasis of monocyte-derived macrophages.

Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core.
They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

Celiac disease is an enteropathy that is characterized by intestinal lesions of variable severity. Tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG) is believed to be the predominant autoantigen for celiac disease and the corresponding autoantibodies show higher sensitivity and specificity than anti-gliadin antibodies. Highly pure recombinant human tTG is now available to replace the traditionally used tTG fraction from guinea pig.
Tissue-type transglutaminase antigens have been specifically modified for improved handling: exchange of an active site amino acid eliminates the protein cross-linking activity of the enzyme, while maintaining the native three-dimensional structure and the enzyme's secondary GTPase activity. This engineering assures reproducible properties of the antigen preparations through the absence of variable and ill-defined covalent aggregates of tTG antigen and host cell proteins.

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.

MDC (CCL22) is a small cytokine that belongs to the CC chemokine family. CCL22 is one of several Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16.
MDC shows chemotactic activity for natural killer cells, chronically activated T lymphocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells. On the other hand, MDC shows a mild activity for primary activated T lymphocytes and has no chemoattractant activity for neutrophils, eosinophils and resting T lymphocytes. MDC may also have a role in the trafficking of activated T lymphocytes to inflammatory sites and other aspects of activated T lymphocyte physiology. MDC interacts with cell surface chemokine receptors CCR4.
CCL22 is vastly expressed in macrophage and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and thymus. CCL22 is also found in the lymph node, appendix, activated monocytes, resting and activated macrophages. Lower expression of CCL22 can be seen in the lung and the spleen and very weak expression in the small intestine. In the lymph node CCL22 is expressed in a mature subset of Langerhans' cells (CD1a+ and CD83+).
Furthermore, CCL22 is expressed in atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis skin, and psoriasis, in both the epidermis and dermis. In addition, MDC has a role in hindering progression of lung cancer. Moreover, significantly higher CCL22 expression is linked to gastric cancer.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus. Subtype H5N1 is commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu. H5N1 may cause more than one influenza pandemicas it is expected to continue mutating in birds. The dominant strain of HPAI A (H5N1) evolved creating the Z genotype. It has also been called Asian lineage HPAI/A/H5N1 which is divided into 2 antigenic clades. "Clade 1 includes human and bird isolates from Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia and bird isolates from Laosand Malaysia. Clade 2 viruses were first identified in bird isolates from China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea before spreading westward to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

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, tumorigenesisand 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.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages, IFN-alpha has antiviral activities and stimulates the production of two enzymes: a protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

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.

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.

MDH2 catalyzes the reversible oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate, utilizing the NAD/NADH cofactor system in the citric acid cycle. MDH2 is localized to the mitochondria and takes part in the malate-aspartate shuttle that functions in the metabolic coordination between cytosol and mitochondria. MDH2 is highy expressed in the adrenal system, small intestine, heart and pancreas.

RAB7A belongs to the Ras superfamily of small Rab GTPases. RAB7A connects with the RIPL effector protein to regulator membrane trafficking from early to late endosome and to lysosomes. RAB7A can also regulate growth receptor endocytic trafficking, degradation, maturation of phagosome and autophagic vacuoles.

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing three outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein plays an important role in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.
It has recently been shown that SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is caused by a human coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are the major cause of upper respiratory tract illness, such as the common cold, in humans. Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses, featuring the largest viral RNA genomes known to date (27-31 kb). The first step in coronavirus infection is binding of the viral spike protein, a 139-kDa protein, to certain receptors on host cells. The spike protein is the main surface antigen of the coronavirus. The glycosilated spike protein (as well as the nucleocapsid protein) can be detected in infected cell culture supernatants with antisera from SARS patients.

CDC37 is an essential protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is a molecular chaperone with precise function in cell signal transduction. CDC37 forms a complex/associates with Hsp90 molecular chaperone as one of several auxiliary proteins that are collectively referred to as Hsp90 co-chaperones. CDC37 also forms complex with a number of protein kinases such as CDK4, CDK6, SRC, RAF-1, MOK, as well as eIF2 alpha kinases. CDC34 is involved in directing Hsp90 to its target kinases. CDC37 up-regulation is a common early event in some localized human cancers. CDC37 is necessary for maintaining prostate tumor cell growth and represents a novel target in the exploration for multitargeted therapies. CDC37 plays a role in regulating Hsp90 ATPase activity. CDC37 binds to Akt and HSP90 in the signal transduction pathway in human tumor cells. Tnf-induced recruitment and activation of the IKK complex require Cdc37 and Hsp90. CDC37 and heat shock protein 90 bind specifically to the kinase domain of LKB1.

Defensins form a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence. This gene encodes defensin, beta 103A, which has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and may play an important role in innate epithelial defense.