Cytokines & Chemokines

Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic), also known as FGF-2, is a pleiotropic cytokine and one of the prototypic members of the heparin-binding FGF family. Like other FGF family members, FGF-basic has the β trefoil structure. In vivo, FGF-basic is produced by a variety of cells, including cardiomycotes, fibroblasts, and vascular cells. FGF-basic regulates a variety of processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion, motility, apoptosis, limb formation and wound healing. FGF-basic can be tumorigenic due to its role in angiogenesis and blood vessel remodeling. The angiogenic effects of FGF-basic can produce beneficial cardioprotection during acute heart injury.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic), also known as FGF-2, is a pleiotropic cytokine and one of the prototypic members of the heparin-binding FGF family. Like other FGF family members, FGF-basic has the β trefoil structure. In vivo, FGF-basic is produced by a variety of cells, including cardiomycotes, fibroblasts, and vascular cells. FGF-basic regulates a variety of processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion, motility, apoptosis, limb formation and wound healing. FGF-basic can be tumorigenic due to its role in angiogenesis and blood vessel remodeling. The angiogenic effects of FGF-basic can produce beneficial cardioprotection during acute heart injury.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic), also known as FGF-2, is a pleiotropic cytokine and one of the prototypic members of the heparin-binding FGF family. Like other FGF family members, FGF-basic has the β trefoil structure. In vivo, FGF-basic is produced by a variety of cells, including cardiomycotes, fibroblasts, and vascular cells. FGF-basic regulates a variety of processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion, motility, apoptosis, limb formation and wound healing. FGF-basic can be tumorigenic due to its role in angiogenesis and blood vessel remodeling. The angiogenic effects of FGF-basic can produce beneficial cardioprotection during acute heart injury.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) is a small cytokine that was previously called monocyte-specific chemokine 3 (MCP-3). Due to CCL7 possessing two adjacent N-terminal cysteine residues in its mature form, it is classified within the subfamily of chemokines known as CC chemokines. CCL7 specifically attracts monocytes, and regulates macrophage function. It is produced by certain tumor cell lines and by macrophages. This chemokine is located on chromosome 17 in humans, within a large cluster containing many other CC chemokines and is most closely related to CCL2. CCL7 can signal through the CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3 receptors.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) is a small cytokine that was previously called monocyte-specific chemokine 3 (MCP-3). Due to CCL7 possessing two adjacent N-terminal cysteine residues in its mature form, it is classified within the subfamily of chemokines known as CC chemokines. CCL7 specifically attracts monocytes, and regulates macrophage function. It is produced by certain tumor cell lines and by macrophages. This chemokine is located on chromosome 17 in humans, within a large cluster containing many other CC chemokines and is most closely related to CCL2. CCL7 can signal through the CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3 receptors.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) is a small cytokine that was previously called monocyte-specific chemokine 3 (MCP-3). Due to CCL7 possessing two adjacent N-terminal cysteine residues in its mature form, it is classified within the subfamily of chemokines known as CC chemokines. CCL7 specifically attracts monocytes, and regulates macrophage function. It is produced by certain tumor cell lines and by macrophages. This chemokine is located on chromosome 17 in humans, within a large cluster containing many other CC chemokines and is most closely related to CCL2. CCL7 can signal through the CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3 receptors.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5(CCL5), also known as RANTES (Regulated upon activation, Normal T cell Expressed and presumable Secreted) is a CC-chemokine that can signal through the CCR1, CCR3, CCR5 and US28 (cytomegalovirus receptor) receptors. RANTES is chemotactic for T cells, eosinophils, and basophils, and plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes in inflammatory sites. With the help of specific cytokines (i.e., IL-2 and IFN-γ) that are released by T cells, RANTES induces the proliferation and activation of certain natural-killer (NK) cells to form CHAK (CC-Chemokine-activated killer) cells. RANTES is also an HIV-suppressive factor released from CD8+ T cells. This chemokine has been localized to chromosome 17 in humans. It has the capability to inhibit certain strains of HIV-1, HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5(CCL5), also known as RANTES (Regulated upon activation, Normal T cell Expressed and presumable Secreted) is a CC-chemokine that can signal through the CCR1, CCR3, CCR5 and US28 (cytomegalovirus receptor) receptors. RANTES is chemotactic for T cells, eosinophils, and basophils, and plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes in inflammatory sites. With the help of specific cytokines (i.e., IL-2 and IFN-γ) that are released by T cells, RANTES induces the proliferation and activation of certain natural-killer (NK) cells to form CHAK (CC-Chemokine-activated killer) cells. RANTES is also an HIV-suppressive factor released from CD8+ T cells. This chemokine has been localized to chromosome 17 in humans. It has the capability to inhibit certain strains of HIV-1, HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) belongs to the Type I four helix bundle cytokines, and shares the common cytokine receptor γ chain with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. IL-21 is expressed by CD4+ T cells, natural killer (NK) T cells, and Th17 cells. The IL-21 receptor is highly expressed on CD4+ and CD8+ B cells. IL-21 plays a pivotal role in the survival and proliferation of B cells, and their differentiation to immunoglobulin (Ig) producing cells. IL-21regulates the production of IgG1 and IgE by B cells, and diminishes the severity of allergy and asthma. In some cases, IL-21 induces B cell apoptosis. Other roles of IL-21 include regulation of the innate immune system, implication in autoimmunity, and antitumor activity.