Growth Factors / Cytokines

Interleukin 34 (IL-34) was originally identified in humans, by large scale screening of secreted proteins; orthologs have also been found in chimpanzee, murine, rat and chicken. Human IL-34 is synthesized as a 242 amino acid (aa) precursor that contains a 20 aa signal sequence and a 222 aa mature...

Monocyte chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3), also called CCL7, is produced by macrophages and tumor cell lines. MCP-3 signals through the G protein-coupled receptors CCR1, CCR2, and CCR3. MCP-3 chemoattracts monocytes and regulates macrophage function during inflammation and metastasis.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is an immunomodulatory cytokine that is produced by lymphocytes. IL-2 signals through the IL-2R receptor to induce activated T cell proliferation and promote T cell differentiation. IL-2 also stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, natural killer cells,...

Transforming growth factors (TGFs) are multifunctional peptides that regulate growth and differentiation in most cell types. The TGF-ß family of proteins signal through serine/threonine kinase receptors. TGF-ß isoforms (TGF-ß1, -ß2, and –ß3) have overlapping, yet distinct biological actions in...

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is an important regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis. PDGF synthesis is induced by IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a, TGF-ß, and EGF signaling. PDGF functions as a mitogenic growth hormone on cells of mesenchymal lineage, such as smooth muscle and glial...

Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF-11), also known as bone morphogenetic protein 11 (BMP-11), is a regulator of cell growth and differentiation during muscular and neural development. GDF-11 binds the transforming growth factor-beta receptors ALK4, ALK5, and ALK7 to activate SMAD signaling. In...

Cytokines for polarizing T cells into T regulatory cells. T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells that suppress immune function. They are characterized by the expression of CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 and are known to produce immunosuppressive cytokines TGF-ß 1 and IL-10. Tregs can be cultured...

Interleukin 8 (IL-8 or CXCL8) is a member of the CXC cytokine family and is produced by macrophages, epithelial, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells. IL-8 binds the G protein-coupled serpentine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. IL-8 recruits innate immune cells, induces phagocytosis, and stimulates...

Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3 (EBI3) is a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the hematopoietin receptor family related to the p40 subunit of interleukin 12 (IL-12). EBI3 expression is induced in B-lymphocytes in response to Epstein-Barr virus infection. EBI3 forms heterodimers with p28 to form...

Interleukin 17AF (IL-17AF) is a heterodimer that is composed of the interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F) members of the IL-17 family of cytokines. IL-17AF is produced by T helper 17 cells (Th17) following interleukin 23 (IL-23) stimulation. IL-17AF signals through the...

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a member of the IL-1 cytokine family and is constitutively expressed in smooth muscle and airway epithelial cells. IL-33 signals through the interleukin 1 receptor-like 1 (IL-1R1) and interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) receptors to ativate NF-?B and MAPK...

IL-3 is a species-specific cytokine and pleiotropic growth factor that promotes the survival, differentiation, and proliferation of committed progenitor cells of the megakaryocyte, granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid, eosinophil, basophil, and mast cell lineages. • Produced by T cells, mast cells, and...

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is an endocrine hormone that regulates energy homeostasis and exerts cardioprotective functions during heart injury. FGF-21 is expressed in the liver, pancreas, heart, and adipose tissues. FGF-21 signaling is activated through the FGFR1c receptor and ß-Klotho...

Nerve growth factor beta (ß-NGF) is a neurotrophic factor that is important for the development and maintenance of sensory and sympathetic neurons. ß-NGF signals through the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) and the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) to activate PI3K, Ras, and PLC...

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a hematopoietic cytokine that is an important regulator of B and T cell development. IL-7 is secreted by bone marrow and thymic stromal cells, dendritic cells, intestinal epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and keratinocytes. IL-7 signals through the interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R)...

Persephin is a neurotrophic factor of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family. Persephin promotes survival and growth of dopaminergic and motor neurons, but not peripheral neurons. Persephin is a ligand for the RET receptor tyrosine kinase.

Resistin-like molecule-gamma (RELM-?) is a member of the RELM family of secreted proteins containing C-terminal cysteines. The RELM family consists of Resistin (FIZZ3), RELM-a (FIZZ1), RELM-ß (FIZZ2), and RELM-? (FIZZ4). RELM-? is secreted by peripheral blood granulocytes, bone marrow, spleen,...

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-basic), also known as FGF-2, is expressed by endothelial cells and is a mediator of angiogenesis. FGF-basic also has cardioprotective functions during heart injury. FGF-basic is a critical component for embryonic stem cell culture systems and is necessary for...

Interleukin 36 gamma (IL-36 ?) is a member of the interleukin 1 (IL-1) cytokine family and protects against pathogens in the skin, lung, and stomach epithelial barriers. IL-36 ? binds the interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) and the orphan IL-1R-related protein 2 (IL-1Rrp2) receptors...

Interleukin 22 (IL-22), also called IL-TIF, is an IL-10 family member that is produced by activated dendritic cells and T lymphocytes. IL-22 signals via a heteroduplex receptor consisting of IL-22R and IL-10RB chains. IL-22 is a potent mediator of cellular inflammatory responses.

Monocyte chemotactic protein 2 (MCP-2), also known as CCL8, is a cytokine that is important during allergic and inflammatory responses. MCP-2 activates mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils through the G protein-coupled chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2B, and CCR5.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that is expressed by T cells, macrophages, and muscle cells. IL-6 acts to stimulate an immune response upon infection or trauma. IL-6 has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions, is capable of promoting fever, and signals through the cell-surface type...

Fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4) is a secreted growth factor that is predominantly expressed during bone morphogenesis and embryonic limb development. FGF-4 is an important growth regulator for stem cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. FGF-4 contains a single N-linked glycosylation signal....

Interferon gamma (IFN-?) is a type II interferon that is critical during adaptive and innate immune responses to infection. IFN-? is produced by T cells and natural killer cells following antigen-specific activation. IFN-? binds IFN-? receptors (IFN-? R1 and IFN-? R2), which are expressed on most...