Cytokines & Chemokines

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family of proteins. HB-EGF-like growth factor is synthesized as a membrane-anchored mitogenic and chemotactic glycoprotein. An epidermal growth factor produced by monocytes and macrophages, due to an affinity for heparin is termed HB-EGF. It has been shown to play a role in wound healing, cardiac hypertrophy and heart development and function. The transmembrane form of HB-EGF is the unique receptor for diptheria toxin and functions in juxtacrine signaling in cells. Both forms of HB-EGF participate in normal physiological processes and in pathological processes including tumor progression and metastasis, organ hyperplasia, and atherosclerotic disease. HB-EGF can bind two locations on cell surfaces, heparan sulfate proteoglycans and EGF-receptor effecting cell to cell interactions.

TAFA-2 also named FAM19A2 belongs to the TAFA family of chemokine­like proteins. Like other members of the FAM19/TAFA family, with the exception of TAFA5, mature TAFA1 to 4 contain 10 regularly spaced cysteine residues. Human TAFA2 is 97% aa identical to mouse TAFA2. TAFA2 expression can be detected in the central nervous system (CNS), colon, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, and thymus, but its expression in the CNS is 50­ to 1000­fold higher than in other tissues. Within the CNS, TAFA2 expression is highest in the occipital and frontal cortex (3­ to 10­fold more abundantly expressed than in other cortical regions) and medulla. The biological functions of TAFA family members remain to be determined, but there are a few tentative hypotheses.

TAFA-2 also named FAM19A2 belongs to the TAFA family of chemokine­like proteins. Like other members of the FAM19/TAFA family, with the exception of TAFA5, mature TAFA1 to 4 contain 10 regularly spaced cysteine residues. Human TAFA2 is 97% aa identical to mouse TAFA2. TAFA2 expression can be detected in the central nervous system (CNS), colon, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, and thymus, but its expression in the CNS is 50­ to 1000­fold higher than in other tissues. Within the CNS, TAFA2 expression is highest in the occipital and frontal cortex (3­ to 10­fold more abundantly expressed than in other cortical regions) and medulla. The biological functions of TAFA family members remain to be determined, but there are a few tentative hypotheses.

TAFA-2 also named FAM19A2 belongs to the TAFA family of chemokine­like proteins. Like other members of the FAM19/TAFA family, with the exception of TAFA5, mature TAFA1 to 4 contain 10 regularly spaced cysteine residues. Human TAFA2 is 97% aa identical to mouse TAFA2. TAFA2 expression can be detected in the central nervous system (CNS), colon, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, and thymus, but its expression in the CNS is 50­ to 1000­fold higher than in other tissues. Within the CNS, TAFA2 expression is highest in the occipital and frontal cortex (3­ to 10­fold more abundantly expressed than in other cortical regions) and medulla. The biological functions of TAFA family members remain to be determined, but there are a few tentative hypotheses.

Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3 (MIP-3α), also known as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) or liver activation regulated chemokine (LARC), is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. MIP-3α is expressed in the liver, lymph nodes, appendix, PBL and lung and can signal through the CCR6 receptor. It is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and weakly attracts neutrophils. MIP-3α is implicated in the formation and function of mucosal lymphoid tissues via chemoattraction of lymphocytes and dendritic cells toward the epithelial cells surrounding these tissues. Additionally, it promotes the adhesion of memory CD4+ T cells and inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors.

Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3 (MIP-3α), also known as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) or liver activation regulated chemokine (LARC), is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. MIP-3α is expressed in the liver, lymph nodes, appendix, PBL and lung and can signal through the CCR6 receptor. It is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and weakly attracts neutrophils. MIP-3α is implicated in the formation and function of mucosal lymphoid tissues via chemoattraction of lymphocytes and dendritic cells toward the epithelial cells surrounding these tissues. Additionally, it promotes the adhesion of memory CD4+ T cells and inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors.

Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3 (MIP-3α), also known as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) or liver activation regulated chemokine (LARC), is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. MIP-3α is expressed in the liver, lymph nodes, appendix, PBL and lung and can signal through the CCR6 receptor. It is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and weakly attracts neutrophils. MIP-3α is implicated in the formation and function of mucosal lymphoid tissues via chemoattraction of lymphocytes and dendritic cells toward the epithelial cells surrounding these tissues. Additionally, it promotes the adhesion of memory CD4+ T cells and inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors.

Leptin is a cytokine belonging to the Interleukin 6 family, and has a four-helix bundle structure. Leptin is encoded by the ob gene, and produced and secreted by white adipose tissue. The receptors of Leptin are Type I cytokine receptors, which exist in two different forms: a short form expressed in multiple tissues, and a long form expressed exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS). Upon binding to Leptin, the receptors activate the JAK/STAT3 pathway and PI3K, and stimulate transcriptional programs that regulate feeding behavior, metabolic rate, endocrine axes, and glucose fluxes. The deficiency of Leptin in human and mouse causes morbid obesity, diabetes, and neuroendocrine anomalies. Leptin also has effects on reproduction and immunity. In summary, Leptin is a pivotal cytokine controlling energy balance, and as such has profound effects on human health.

Leptin is a cytokine belonging to the Interleukin 6 family, and has a four-helix bundle structure. Leptin is encoded by the ob gene, and produced and secreted by white adipose tissue. The receptors of Leptin are Type I cytokine receptors, which exist in two different forms: a short form expressed in multiple tissues, and a long form expressed exclusively in the central nervous system (CNS). Upon binding to Leptin, the receptors activate the JAK/STAT3 pathway and PI3K, and stimulate transcriptional programs that regulate feeding behavior, metabolic rate, endocrine axes, and glucose fluxes. The deficiency of Leptin in human and mouse causes morbid obesity, diabetes, and neuroendocrine anomalies. Leptin also has effects on reproduction and immunity. In summary, Leptin is a pivotal cytokine controlling energy balance, and as such has profound effects on human health.