Search results

CD4 is a cell-surface glycoprotein found on the mature helper T cells and immature thymocytes, as well as on monocytes and macrophages. (Some cytotoxic T cells have CD4 protein as well.) Normally, about 65% of T cells in the blood are CD4+ (have CD4 protein protruding from their membrane). A mature T cell with either have CD4 or CD8, but not both. During one stage of development T cells develop CD4 and CD8 receptors, but they eventually are differentiated in the thymus and become more specialized.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues; it’s involved in cell adhesion. The production of CEA stops before birth. CEA is called tumor marker since its elevated levels are found in the serum from individuals with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast carcinomas and in heavy smokers.
There are also benign conditions that elevate CEA levels such as smoking, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors (in the equivalent organs which have cancers with elevated CEA). Typically, higher levels of CEA are found in men, smokers, and older individuals.
The presence of CEA assists in screening, in evaluating recurrent or disseminated disease, and in determining the success of surgical removal of malignant tumors.
CEA levels can be used as indicators of treatment success. The normal values range from 0.0 to 2.5 ng/ml of serum (from blood), in non-smokers, a greater amount than that may be suggestive of cancer. Levels above 20 ng/ml before treatment are associated with cancer which has already metastasized. Benign conditions do not usually cause a CEA increase over 10 ng/ml.
The high levels of CEA should return to normal after successful therapy, however if during follow up there’s an elevation in CEA levels it indicates a recurrence of tumor.
Carcinoembryonic antigen family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily; it consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed.

CD160 antigen (CD160) is a human natural killer (NK)-cell-activating receptor which is also expressed on T-cell subsets. CD160 is a tumor-specific antigen known to mediate cellular activation signals in CLL, and is a novel target for therapeutic manipulation and monitoring of minimal residual disease. CD160 was identified as a T cell coinhibitory molecule which interacts with the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) on antigen-presenting cells to deliver a potent inhibitory signal to CD4(+) T cells. CD160 expression is strongly associated with peripheral blood NK cells and CD8 T lymphocytes with cytolytic effector activity. CD160 is expressed on all intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. CD160 has a broad specificity for binding to both classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules.

CD2 which is also known as E-rosette receptor, T11 and lymphocytefunction antigen-2 (LFA-2) is expressed on T cells, thymocytes, and subset of natural killer cells. Human CD2 functions as the receptor for sheep erythrocytes, human CD58 (LFA-3), and CD15s (Sialyl Lewis X). p56lck, p59fyn, CD3eta and CD3epsilon are tyrosine-phosphorylated after CD2 stimulation. CD2 plays a role in T cell activation, T- or NK-cell-mediated cytolysis, apoptosis in activated peripheral T cells, and regulation of T cell anergy.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

CD45 leukocyte common antigen (LCA) belongs to the family of at least four isoforms of membrane glycoproteins (220, 205, 190, 180kDa) expressed on hematopoietic cell lines but absent on non-hematopoietic cell lines, normal and malignant non-hematopoietic tissues. The intracellular portion of these molecules has protein phosphatase activity and is involved in regulation of transmembrane signals.

T-cell antigen CD7 (CD7) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein which is expressed on pluripotential hemapoietic cells, nearly all human thymocytes and some peripheral blood T cells. The CD7 molecule is missing in a subset of human T cells under some physiologic conditions. An increase in CD7 negative T cells can be observed in a number of inflammatory skin diseases.

Cytotoxic and Regulatory T Cell Molecule, also known as CRTAM belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily which complies with the structural characteristics of the JAM family and is phylogenetically more closely related to nectin-like proteins. CRTAM is implicated in epithelial cell adhesion. Furthermore, CRTAM interacts with CADM1 as well as promotes natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity.

CD2 which is also known as E-rosette receptor, T11 and lymphocytefunction antigen-2 (LFA-2) is expressed on T cells, thymocytes, and subset of natural killer cells. Human CD2 functions as the receptor for sheep erythrocytes, human CD58 (LFA-3), and CD15s (Sialyl Lewis X). p56lck, p59fyn, CD3eta and CD3epsilon are tyrosine-phosphorylated after CD2 stimulation. CD2 plays a role in T cell activation, T- or NK-cell-mediated cytolysis, apoptosis in activated peripheral T cells, and regulation of T cell anergy.

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.

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 T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is a human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus that causes
T-cell leukemia and T-cell lymphoma. The virus activates a subset of T-helper cellscalled Th1cells. The result is a proliferation of Th1 cells and overproduction of Th1 related cytokines (mainly IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha). Feedback mechanisms of these cytokines cause a suppression of the Th2 lymphocytes and a reduction of Th2 cytokine production (mainly
IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13). The end result is a reduction in the ability of the infected host to mount an adequate immune response to invading organisms that require a predominantly
Th2 dependant response (these include parasitic infections and production of mucosal and humoral antibodies).
HTLV-1 p24 is usually used for clinical diagnosis and forms both monomer and dimer on
SDS-PAGE gel but the majority of protein is a dimer.

Lassa virus, which is a member of the Arenaviridae virus family, causes acute viral hemorrhagic fever. It was first reported in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria. Natal multimammate mouse is the primary reservoir of Lassa virus, found in sub-Saharan Africa. The virus is transmitted by contact with the feces or urine of animals, contributing to its high rate of incidence. Lassa fever occurs generally in West Africa. Lassa fever results in 300,000 to 500,000 cases annually and causes about 5,000 deaths each year. Outbreaks of this disease have been observed in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Central African Republic. Protein structure: Lassa virus genome is comprised of two single-stranded RNA molecules defined as small (S) and large (L). Two genes on the S segment encode the nucleoprotein (NP) and two envelope glycoproteins (GP1 and GP2); while, the L segment encodes the viral polymerase (L protein) and RING finger Z matrix protein. GP1 subunit serves a putative role in receptor binding, while the structure of GP2 subunit is consistent with viral transmembrane fusion proteins. NP is a virion protein which binds and protects the viral RNA.

CD276, belongs to the B7 family of immunoregulatory transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by T cells. CD276 is a costimulatory molecule for T cell activation in addition to IFN-gamma production. Furthermore CD276 upregulates BRCC3 expression, preventing DNA defects caused by 5-Fu. CD276 is correlated with TNM stage of NSCLC and act as a potential biomarker for NSCLC-derived MPEs. CD276 inhibits natural-killer mediated cell lysis in tumor cells, and act as a marker for detection of neuroblastoma cells. CD276 is implicated in the development of acute as well as chronic transplant rejection and in the regulation of lymphocytic activity at mucosal surfaces. In addition, CD276 provides the placenta & fetus a proper immunological environment during the course of pregnancy.

ITGAL encodes the integrin alpha L chain. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. This I-domain containing alpha integrin combines with the beta 2 chain (ITGB2) to form the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), which is expressed on all leukocytes. LFA-1 plays a central role in leukocyte intercellular adhesion through interactions with its ligands, ICAMs 1-3 (intercellular adhesion molecules 1 through 3), and also functions in lymphocyte costimulatory signaling.

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).

LAYN, also known as Layilin, contains 1 c-type lectin domain. This protein is receptor for hyaluronate and Interacts with NF2, RDX and TLN1. The C-terminal domain interacts with the N-terminal domain of RDX.

CD96 is a type I membrane protein which is a part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. CD96 functions as cell markers in immune-phynotyping and participates in antigen presentation. CD96 plays a role in the adhesive interactions of activated T and NK cells through the late phase of the immune response.

Low affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc region receptor III-A (FCGR3A) is a receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G, and is involved in the elimination of antigen-antibody complexes from the circulation, as well as other antibody-dependent responses. FCGR3A needs to associate with the gamma subunit of Fc epsilon. The FCGR3A receptor is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells as an integral membrane glycoprotein anchored through a transmembrane peptide, while FCGR3B is expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) where the receptor is anchored through a phosphatidylinositol (PI) linkage. In addition, FCGR3A is expressed on macrophages, subpopulation of T-cells, immature thymocytes and placental trophoblasts. FCGR3A mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and other antibody-dependent responses, such as phagocytosis. FCGR3A gene mutations are linked with susceptibility to recurrent viral infections, susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, and alloimmune neonatal neutropenia.

CD6 is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed primarily on T cells. CD6 is expressed by mature T-cells, thymocytes, a subset of B-cells known as B-1 cells, and by cells in the brain (some of them). CD6 is a member of the group B SRCR (scavenger receptor cysteine-rich) superfamily. CD6 plays a role as both a co-stimulatory molecule in T cell activation and as an adhesion receptor. CD6 binds to CD166 and is considered as a costimulatory molecule involved in lymphocyte activation and thymocyte development.

CD40 belongs to the TNF-receptor super family. CD40 has been found to be vital in mediating a wide range of immune and inflammatory responses including T cell-dependent immunoglobulin class switching, memory B cell development, and germinal center formation. AT-hook transcription factor AKNA is accounted to coordinately regulate the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is significant for homotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and functions as a mediator of the signal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is found to be essential for amyloid-beta-induced microglial activation, and therefore is considered to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

Human papillomavirus family consist of over 200 types. Over than 30 to 40 types of HPV are transferred via sexual contact and infect the anogenital region initiating genital warts. Persistent infection with "high-risk" HPV types results in skin warts and leads to precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. HPV infection is considered as a source for all incidents of cervical cancer. E2, E6, and E7 proteins of HPV-16 and 18 are considered the main viral oncoproteins that take part in cervical cancer. The type-specific antigen epitopes of E2, E6, and E7 proteins of HPV-16 are fused together and expressed in E. coli for diagnostic purpose.

TBE is caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae.
A closely related virus in Far Eastern Eurasia, Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus (RSSEV).
The family Flaviviridae includes other tick-borne viruses are closely related to TBEV and RSSEV, such as Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus & Kyasanur Forest virus.
Louping ill virus is also a member of this family.