The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of at least eighteen secreted and membrane bound zincendopeptidases. Collectively, these enzymes can degrade all the components of the extracellular matrix, including fibrillar and non fibrillar collagens, fibronectin, laminin and basement membrane glycoproteins. In general, a signal peptide, a propeptide, and a catalytic domain containing the highly conserved zinc binding site characterizes the structure of the MMPs. In addition, fibronecti

IgM normally constitutes about 10% of serum immunoglobulins. IgM antibody is prominent in early immune responses to most antigens and is largely confined to plasma due to it's large size. Monomeric IgM is expressed as a membrane bound antibody on the surface of B cells and as a pentamer when secreted by plasma cells. Due to it's high valency IgM is more efficient than other isotypes is binding antigens with repeating epitopes (virus particles and red blood cells) and is more efficient tha

Interferon-gamma-inducible 10 kD protein (IP-10), is a CXC chemokine with chemoattractant properties for CD4-positive T cells and inhibits early normal and leukemic hemopoietic progenitor proliferation. IP-10 is produced by a wide variety of cell types ranging from neutrophils and monocytes to hepatocytes, endothelial cells and keratinocytes. The cytokine is reported to be involved in a scala of inflammatory pathologies such as HIV encephalitis, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, chronic hepatitis

MIG (monokine induced by interferon-gamma), a member of the alpha-chemokine family (CXC) of cytokines, is produced by stimulated monocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells. It signals through the CXCR3 receptor. MIG selectively chemoattracts Th1 lymphocytes, and also exerts other activities including inhibition of tumor growth, angiogenesis, and inhibition of colony formation of hematopoietic progenitors. Human MIG is active on murine cells. $n

IL-32 alpha is the shortest and most abundant of four potential splice variants of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 (previously called NK4) with a predicted unmodified size of 15 kDa. Potential modifications include myristoylation and N-glycosylation. Transfected IL-32 alpha was more likely to be cell-associated as compared to IL-32 beta, suggesting an intracellular function. IL-32 is induced by mitogens in peripheral lymphocytes, by IFN-gamma in epithelial cells, or by IL-12 with IL-18 in

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members bind heparin and possess broad mitogenic and angiogenic activities. This protein has been implicated in diverse biological processes, such as limb and nervous system development, wound healing, and tumor growth. The mRNA for this gene contains multiple polyadenylation sites, and is alternatively translated from non-AUG (CUG) and AUG initiation codons, resulting in five different i