The inhibin alpha subunit joins either the beta A or beta B subunit to form a pituitary FSH secretion inhibitor. Inhibin has been shown to regulate gonadal stromal cell proliferation negatively and to have tumour-suppressor activity. In addition, serum levels of inhibin have been shown to reflect the size of granulosa-cell tumors and can therefore be used as a marker for primary as well as recurrent disease. However, in prostate cancer, expression of the inhibin alpha-subunit gene was suppres

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This cytokine is produced by activated macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed to its active form by caspase 1 (CASP1/ICE). This cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response, and is involved in a variety of cellular activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX2) by this cytokine in the central ner

IL18 (IFN-gamma-inducing factor, IGIF) is a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine that augments natural killer (NK) activity in spleen cells. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.

This gene encodes an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. This cytokine is involved in several stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression, and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells. This cytokine down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This cytokine is found to be critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma but opera

Integrins are heterodimeric proteins made up of alpha and beta subunits. At least 18 alpha and 8 beta subunits have been described in mammals. Integrin family members are membrane receptors involved in cell adhesion and recognition in a variety of processes including embryogenesis, hemostasis, tissue repair, immune response and metatastatic diffusion of tumour cells. ITAGV encodes integrin alpha chain V. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and

Has RNase activity and selectively degrades specific target mRNA species. Modulates the immune response and inflammation by regulating the decay of specific mRNA molecules. Recognizes the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNA for IL6, CALCR and IL12B. Required for normal decay of IL6 mRNA (By similarity). Triggers apoptosis and promotes angiogenesis in response to the binding of CCL2 to CCR2. Regulates expression of CDH12 and CHD19.