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The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

interleukin 12 subunit beta/alpha or IL12b/IL12a is a growth factor cytokine which increases the lytic activity of NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells, activated T and NK cells and prompt IFN-gamma production (through resting PBMC). IL12b/IL12a is an essential part to the process of cellular-immunity and activates the differentiation of Th1 cells originates from the precursor T helper cells. The protein is linked to IL23A and creates the IL-23 interleukin, by that, the autoimmune inflammation is induced and autoimmune inflammatory diseases and tumorigenesis are being affected.

Interleukin-1b is produced by activated macrophages, IL-1B stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B 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.

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.

IL2-Ra is one of the three constituent subunits of the IL2 receptor. IL-2Ra is released into the serum after increased cellular expression such as increased activation of B and T cells. Clinical manifestations of IL2-Ra elevation include autoimmune conditions and some leukemias and lymphomas.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown

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.

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 may contribute to many overlapping functions of this cytokine and IL13. STAT6, a signal transducer and activator of transcription, has been shown to play a central role in mediating the immune regulatory signal of this cytokine. This gene, 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 found to be regulated coordinately by several long-range regulatory elements in an over 120 kilobase range on the chromosome. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Interleukin-21 isoform 1 or IL21, categorized as a T helper cytokine. IL21 is part of the regulation of immune responses, haematopoiesis and cell-mediated responses. IL21 has a key role in haematopoiesis and immune responses regulation, therefore can affect lymphocyte development. Activation of T cells leads to production of the IL21. The protein has a crucial role in the viral infections persistence.

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.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. This cytokine and interleukine 2 share many biological activities. They are found to bind common hematopoietin receptor subunits, and may compete for the same receptor, and thus negatively regulate each other's activity. The number of CD8+ memory cells is shown to be controlled by a balance between this cytokine and IL2. This cytokine induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this cytokine may increase the expression of apoptosis inhibitor BCL2L1/BCL-x(L), possibly through the transcription activation activity of STAT6, and thus prevent apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding the same protein have been reported.

Human interleukin family 1, member 7 (IL1F7) belongs to the interleukin 1 cytokine family. There are 5 alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms with distinct expression profiles. The longest IL-1F7 transcript, named IL1F7b or IL1F7 isoform 1, encodes a 218 aa residues proprotein and containing a 45 aa propeptide which is cleaved to produce a mature protein. IL1F7b binds to IL18 Rb with low affinity however it doesn’t exert any IL18 agonistic or antagonistic effects. IL1F7b also binds IL18BP (interleukin 18 binding protein), which is an inhibitory binding protein of interleukin 18 (IL18), and afterward forms a complex with IL18 receptor beta subunit, and through which it inhibits the activity of IL18.

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.

IL20 is a cytokine structurally related to interleukin 10 (IL10). IL20 cytokine has been shown to transduce its signal through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in keratinocytes. A specific receptor for this cytokine is found to be expressed in skin and upregulated dramatically in psoriatic skin, suggesting a role for this protein in epidermal function and psoriasis.

CTLA-4 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and encodes a protein which transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells. The protein contains a V domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. The membrane-bound isoform functions as a homodimer interconnected by a disulfide bond, while the soluble isoform functions as a monomer. Mutations in this gene have been associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, and other autoimmune diseases.

BMP2 belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. Bone morphogenic protein induces bone formation. BMP2 is a candidate gene for the autosomal dominant disease of fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.

Cytokine-like protein 1 (CYTL1) is a secreted protein. CYTL1 is expressed in CD34+ cell populations of bone marrow and cord blood which function as hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. However, CYTL1 is not expressed in CD34- cells. Experiments with knock-out mice (Cytl1-/-) propose that CYTL1 is essential for the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis rather than cartilage and bone development, and loss of CYTL1 function is linked with experimental osteoarthritic cartilage destruction in mice.

Interleukin-1 alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by a wide variety of cell types, including macrophages, osteoblasts, monocytes and hepatocytes. Circulating levels of are normally low and only rise after stimulation by agents such as those produced by inflammation, infection or microbial endotoxins. IL-1 alpha possesses a wide variety of biological activities and exerts its effects by binding to specific cell surface receptors.

APOA, also known as Apolipoprotein A is a human 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. Moreover, 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 highly related with 2 other apolipoprotein genes on chromosome 11.

Interleukin-1b is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by a wide variety of cell types including monocytes and macrophages. It displays a broad range of biological activity including activation of B and T cells in response to inflammation and the activation of endothelial cells.

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.

Interleukin 34 (IL34) is a cytokine that promotes the differentiation and viability of monocytes and macrophages through the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor and is a part of a group of cytokines called interleukins. IL34 increases growth or survival of immune cells known as monocytes. IL34 protein obtains its activity by binding the Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor. Interleukin 34 has also a potential part in viral infection, the adaptive immune response and bone marrow cell proliferation. Furthermore, IL34 plays an important role in innate immunity and in inflammatory processes.