IL-1 alpha is a non-secreted proinflammatory cytokine produced in a variety of cells including monocytes, tissue macrophages, keratinocytes and other epithelial cells. Both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta binds to the same receptor and has similar if not identical biological properties. These cytokines have…

Interleukin 15 is a recently identified novel cytokine that shares many biological properties with IL-2, including T, B and NK cell-stimulatory activities. cDNA clones encoding this cytokine have been isolated from simian, murine and human cell sources. Human IL-15 shares approximately 97% and 73%…

Interleukin 8/CXCL8 was originally discovered and purified independently by a number of laboratories as a neutrophil chemotactic and activating factor. It was also referred to as neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF), neutrophil activating protein (NAP), monocytederived neutrophil chemotactic factor…

IFN-tau is a new class of type I IFN that is secreted by the trophoblast and is the signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep. IFN- tau has potent immunosuppressive and antiviral activities similar to other type I IFN but is less cytotoxic than IFN-α/β. The current…

bFGF is a single-chain polypeptide growth factor that plays a significant role in the process of wound healing and is a potent inducer of angiogenesis. Several different forms of the human protein exist ranging from 18-24 kDa in size due to the use of alternative start sites within the FGF-2 gene.…

CCL2, also known as monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), was initially purified independently by two groups based on its ability to chemoattract monocytes. Subsequent to its cloning and sequencing, it became evident that this protein is also identical to the product of the human JE…

EGF was originally discovered in crude preparations of nerve growth factor prepared from mouse submaxillary glands as an activity that induced early eyelid opening, incisor eruption, hair growth inhibition, and stunting of growth when injected into newborn mice. Human EGF was isolated from urine…

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ, also known as Type II interferon or immune interferon) is a cytokine produced primarily by T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. The protein shares no significant homology with IFN-β or the various IFN-α family proteins. Mature IFN-γ exists as…

Interleukin-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse T and B cell responses including cell proliferation, survival and gene expression. Produced by mast cells, T cells and bone marrow stromal cells, IL-4 regulates the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into helper Th2 cells,…

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is a member of the IL-1 family. Endogenous IL-1ra is produced in numerous animal disease models as well as in human autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. It binds to IL-1 receptors in competition with IL-1, but does not elicit intracellular…

Neutrophil Activating Peptide 2 (NAP-2) is proteolytically processed carboxyl-terminal fragments of platelet basic protein (PBP) which is found in the alpha-granules of human platelets. NAP-2 is a member of the CXC chemokines. Similar to other ELR domain containing CXC chemokines such as IL-8 and…

M-CSF, also known as CSF-1, is a four α helical bundle cytokine that is the primary regulator of macrophage survival, proliferation and differentiation. M-CSF is also essential for the survival and proliferation of osteoclast progenitors. M-CSF also primes and enhances macrophage killing of…

IL-7 is a hematopoietic growth factor which affects primarily early B and T cells. Produced by thymic stromal cells, spleen cells and keratinocytes, IL-7 can also co-stimulate the proliferation of mature T cells in combination with other factors such as ConA and IL-2.

EGF is a potent growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of various epidermal and epithelial cells. Additionally, EGF has been shown to inhibit gastric secretion, and to be involved in wound healing. EGF signals through a receptor known as c-erbB, which is a class I tyrosine kinase receptor.…

BMPs (Bone Morphogenetic Proteins) belong to the TGF-beta superfamily of structurally related signaling proteins. BMP-2 is a potent osteoinductive cytokine, capable of inducing bone and cartilage formation in association with osteoconductive carriers such as collagen and synthetic hydroxyapatite.…

VEGF was initially purified from media conditioned by normal bovine pituitary folliculo-stellate cells and by a variety of transformed cell lines as a mitogen specific for vascular endothelial cells. It was subsequently found to be identical to an independently discovered vascular permeability…

FGF basic (FGF-2, HBGF-2) is one of at least 22 mitogenic proteins of the FGF family, which show 35 - 60% amino acid conservation. Unlike other FGFs, FGF acidic and basic lack signal peptides and are secreted by an alternate pathway. Storage pools within the cell or on cell surface heparan sulfate…

Interleukin 3 is a pleiotropic factor produced primarily by activated T cells that can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells as well as various lineage committed progenitors. In addition, IL-3 also affects the functional activity of mature mast…

TSLP is a hemopoietic protein that is expressed in the heart, liver and prostate. TSLP overlaps biological activities with IL-7 and binds with the heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the IL-7R alpha chain (IL-7Rα) and the TSLP-specific chain (TSLPR). Like IL-7, TSLP induces…

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a growth and differentiation factor that participates in the regulation of neurogenesis, osteogenesis and hematopoiesis. Produced by activated T cells, monocytes and Kaposi's sarcoma cells, OSH can exert both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. It…

Streptokinase is a thrombolytic agent i.e. it dissolves vascular thrombi. This potent agent is derived from the beta haemolytic streptococci and is consequently associated with the risk of anaphylaxis. Streptokinase acts by stimulating the conversion o