Cytokines & Chemokines

Interleukin-2(IL-2) is an interleukin; a type of cytokine signaling molecule in the immune system;belongs to the IL-2 family. It is a powerful immunoregulatory lymphokine produced by T-cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. IL-2/IL-2R signaling is required for T-cell proliferation and other fundamental functions that are essential for the immune response. IL-2 stimulates growth and differentiation of B-cells; NK cells; lymphokine-activated killer cells; monocytes; macrophages and oligodendrocytes.

Interleukin-2(IL-2)is a O-glycosylated four α-helix bundle cytokine that has potent stimulatory activity for antigenactivated T cells. It is expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, and eosinophils. Mature rat IL-2 shares 66% and 73% amino acid sequence identity with human and mouse IL-2,respectively. The receptor for IL-2 consists of three subunits that are present on the cell surface in varying preformed complexes. IL-2 is a powerful immunoregulatory lymphokine produced by T-cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. IL-2/IL-2R signaling is required for T-cell proliferation and other fundamental functions that are essential for the immune response. IL-2 stimulates growth and differentiation of B-cells, NK cells, lymphokine-activated killer cells, monocytes, macrophages and oligodendrocytes.

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is a potent growth promoting cytokine. IL-3 can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells as well as various lineage committed progenitors. IL-3 exerts its biological function through binding to specific cell surface receptors. The amino acid sequences of this protein among different species share relatively low identity and its activity is highly species-specific. IL-3 has also been shown to possess neurotrophic activity; and is thought to be associated with neurologic disorders.

Associates with IL23A to form the IL-23 interleukin, a heterodimeric cytokine which functions in innate and adaptive immunity. IL-23 may constitute with IL-17 an acute response to infection in peripheral tissues. IL-23 binds to a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of IL12RB1 and IL23R, activates the Jak-Stat signaling cascade, stimulates memory rather than naive T-cells and promotes production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. IL-23 induces autoimmune inflammation and thus may be responsible for autoimmune inflammatory diseases and may be important for tumorigenesis. Cytokine that can act as a growth factor for activated T and NK cells, enhance the lytic activity of NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells, and stimulate the production of IFN-gamma by resting PBMC.

FGF6, also known as FGF-6, belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Members of this family have extensive mitogenic and cell survival activities, and participate in many biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF6 plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, angiogenesis and myogenesis. It is also necessary for normal muscle regeneration.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 17(FGF-17) is a member of the heparin - binding growth factors family that is prominently expressed in the cerebellum and cortex. Proteins of this family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities and they are involved in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGF-17 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and it acts as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. In addition, FGF-17 stimulates the proliferation and activation of cells that express FGF receptors.

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), also known as CTLA-8, belongs to the IL-17 cytokine family. IL-17A is expressed in memory Th17 cells and is a product of memory CD4+T cells. In addition to Th17 cells, IL-17A can also be produced by various immune cells, including CD8+T cells γδ T cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. IL-17A plays a crucial role in the host's defense mechanisms against many bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as in allergic and autoimmune responses. IL-17A plays a role in viral infection by promoting neutrophil inflammation. IL-17A is a homodimeric cytokine with similar biological activity to IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17RA have high affinity binding, and IL-17RA is essential for the biological activity of IL-17A. IL-17A cannot bind to T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells lacking IL-17RA. IL-17A is associated with various autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and psoriasis. IL-17A als

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a multifunctional ligand protein belonging to TGF β Family. BMP4 is expressed by endothelial cells (EC) in response to hypoxia and promotes proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). For example, it inhibits the proliferation of SMCs isolated from the proximal pulmonary artery while inducing the proliferation of SMCs isolated from the distal pulmonary artery. BMP4 seems to be a marker and driver of vascular calcification, especially in atherosclerosis. BMP4 induces angiogenesis, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, and migration. BMP4 is differentially expressed in calcified atherosclerotic plaque, which is the junction between atherosclerotic vascular calcification and normal bone formation mechanism. BMP4 increases plaque formation, promotes oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and osteogenic differentiation through its proinflammatory and atherogenic effects.