Cytokines & Chemokines

Human Interferon gamma (hIFN-γ) is amacrophage-activating factor and the lone member of Interferon type II. The active form of IFN-γ is an antiparallel dimer that interacts with the receptor IFN-γR1 and sets off IFN-γ/JAK/STAT pathway. IFN-γ signaling does diverse biological functions primarily related to host defense and immune regulation, including antiviral and antibacterial defense, apoptosis, inflammation, and innate and acquired immunity. While IFN-γ–induced inflammatory cascade summons a variety of immune-related cell types, such as macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), IFN-γ is also implicated in resistance to NK cell and CTL responses and in immune escape in a variety of cancers.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a family of cytokines that play a central role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections or sterile insults. IL-1α and IL-1β are the first two members discovered in this family, which are the products of distinct genes recognizing the same cell surface receptors. IL-1α and IL-1β are structurally related polypeptides that show approximately 25% homology at the amino acid level. Both proteins are produced by a wide variety of cells in response to stimuli such as those produced by inflammatory agents, infections, or microbial endotoxins. The proteins are synthesized as 31 kDa precursors that are subsequently cleaved into proteins with molecular weights of approximately 17.5 kDa. The specific protease responsible for the processing of IL-1β is interleukin 1β-converting enzyme (ICE)/caspase-1. Mature human and mouse IL-1β share approximately 75% amino acid sequence identity where human IL-1β has been found to be active on murine cell lines.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a family of cytokines that play a central role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections or sterile insults. IL-1α and IL-1β are the first two members discovered in this family, which are the products of distinct genes recognizing the same cell surface receptors. IL-1α and IL-1β are structurally related polypeptides that show approximately 25% homology at the amino acid level. Both proteins are produced by a wide variety of cells in response to stimuli such as those produced by inflammatory agents, infections, or microbial endotoxins. The proteins are synthesized as 31 kDa precursors that are subsequently cleaved into proteins with molecular weights of approximately 17.5 kDa. The specific protease responsible for the processing of IL-1β is interleukin 1β-converting enzyme (ICE)/caspase-1. Mature human and mouse IL-1β share approximately 75% amino acid sequence identity where human IL-1β has been found to be active on murine cell lines.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a family of cytokines that play a central role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections or sterile insults. IL-1α and IL-1β are the first two members discovered in this family, which are the products of distinct genes recognizing the same cell surface receptors. IL-1α and IL-1β are structurally related polypeptides that show approximately 25% homology at the amino acid level. Both proteins are produced by a wide variety of cells in response to stimuli such as those produced by inflammatory agents, infections, or microbial endotoxins. The proteins are synthesized as 31 kDa precursors that are subsequently cleaved into proteins with molecular weights of approximately 17.5 kDa. The specific protease responsible for the processing of IL-1β is interleukin 1β-converting enzyme (ICE)/caspase-1. Mature human and mouse IL-1β share approximately 75% amino acid sequence identity where human IL-1β has been found to be active on murine cell lines.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-8 (FGF-8) is a heparin-binding growth factor of the FGF family. There are 4 known forms of FGF8 produced by alternative splicing: FGF8a, FGF-8b, FGF-8e and FGF-8f. The human and mouse FGF8b are identical of aa sequences. FGF-8 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration. FGF-8 is required for normal brain, eye, ear and limb development during embryogenesis. It is also required for normal development of the gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal system.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-8 (FGF-8) is a heparin-binding growth factor of the FGF family. There are 4 known forms of FGF8 produced by alternative splicing: FGF8a, FGF-8b, FGF-8e and FGF-8f. The human and mouse FGF8b are identical of aa sequences. FGF-8 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration. FGF-8 is required for normal brain, eye, ear and limb development during embryogenesis. It is also required for normal development of the gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal system.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-8 (FGF-8) is a heparin-binding growth factor of the FGF family. There are 4 known forms of FGF8 produced by alternative splicing: FGF8a, FGF-8b, FGF-8e and FGF-8f. The human and mouse FGF8b are identical of aa sequences. FGF-8 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration. FGF-8 is required for normal brain, eye, ear and limb development during embryogenesis. It is also required for normal development of the gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal system.

Members of the Hedgehog (Hh) family are highly conserved proteins which are widely represented throughout the animal kingdom. The three known mammalian Hh proteins, Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh) and Indian (Ihh) are structurally related and share a high degree of amino-acid sequence identity (e.g., Shh and Ihh are 93% identical). The biologically active form of Hh molecules is obtained by autocatalytic cleavage of their precursor proteins and corresponds to approximately the N-terminal one half of the precursor molecule. Although Hh proteins have unique expression patterns and distinct biological roles within their respective regions of secretion, they use the same signaling pathway and can substitute for each other in experimental systems.

Members of the Hedgehog (Hh) family are highly conserved proteins which are widely represented throughout the animal kingdom. The three known mammalian Hh proteins, Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh) and Indian (Ihh) are structurally related and share a high degree of amino-acid sequence identity (e.g., Shh and Ihh are 93% identical). The biologically active form of Hh molecules is obtained by autocatalytic cleavage of their precursor proteins and corresponds to approximately the N-terminal one half of the precursor molecule. Although Hh proteins have unique expression patterns and distinct biological roles within their respective regions of secretion, they use the same signaling pathway and can substitute for each other in experimental systems.