Cardiotrophin-1: a multifaceted cytokine
Despite increasing interest on cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) as a cytoprotective molecule, many aspects of its physiological role have not been unambiguously established. Here we review present knowledge of the biological activities of CT-1 on different organs and systems and discuss data on the potential therapeutic applications of its remarkable properties. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 4, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Miguel López-Yoldi, María J. Moreno-Aliaga, Matilde Bustos Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Oncostatin M and Interleukin-31: Cytokines, receptors, signal transduction and physiology
Even though the discovery of OSM dates back 25 years [1], its physiology and involvement in disease development are still incompletely understood. Initially discovered as a cytokine released from U937 cells which has cytostatic activities on the growth of melanoma cells, hence its name oncostatin M, it is now becoming clear that OSM has multiple functions in hematopoiesis, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, liver regeneration, heart remodeling, nociceptive reception, inflammation and metabolism (Fig. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 3, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Heike M. Hermanns Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF): New facets of an old molecule for treating neurodegenerative and metabolic syndrome pathologies
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a pluripotent neurotrophic factor originally isolated from chick embryo ciliary neurons [1]. CNTF has potent effects on the development and maintenance of the nervous system, inducing neuronal survival and differentiation by stimulating gene expression of sensory, sympathetic and motor neurons. Its effect on motor neurons led to preclinical and clinical studies in neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, to promising clinical trial results in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 3, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Sarah Pasquin, Mukut Sharma, Jean-François Gauchat Source Type: research
The biology of Interleukin-27 reveals unique pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in immunity
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a heterodimeric cytokine that because of structural properties and shared receptors belongs to the IL-6/IL-12 superfamily of cytokines. It is composed by the two subunits p28 (IL-27a, IL-30) and EBI3 (Epstein-barr virus-induced gene 3, IL-27b) [1]. The α-subunit p28 is a four-helical bundle cytokine like the other members of the IL-6-family, and EBI3 is the soluble α-receptor that consists of two fibronectin-like domains [2] (Figure 1). (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 3, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Samadhi Aparicio-Siegmund, Christoph Garbers Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Mutations leading to constitutive active gp130/JAK1/STAT3 pathway
Constitutive activation of STAT (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription) proteins, and particularly of STAT3 and STAT5, is a common feature identified in numerous solid and hematological tumors [1,2]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 3, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Camilla Pilati, Jessica Zucman-Rossi Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Dynamic aberrant NF-κB spurs tumorigenesis: a new model encompassing the microenvironment
The role of transcription factor Nuclear Factor kappa B (“NF-κB”) in cell physiology has been reviewed extensively, and excellent articles describe mutations on genes that encode for NF-κB regulators in lymphoid malignancy [1]. Such mutations are relatively rare in solid tumors [2]. Lineages that give rise to solid tumors normally restrict their growth to generate solid tissue–this restriction can be overcome by NF-κB in carcinogenesis [3]. However, in recent years, study models for adenocarcinoma show oncogenes acting through NF-κB to cause cancer [1,4,5]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 20, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Spiros A. Vlahopoulos, Osman Cen, Nina Hengen, James Agan, Maria Moschovi, Elena Critselis, Maria Adamaki, Flora Bacopoulou, John A. Copland, Istvan Boldogh, Michael Karin, George P. Chrousos Source Type: research
The TGF-β superfamily in dendritic cell biology
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells crucial in initiating and shaping the outcome of immune response [1]. As immature cells, DCs patrol surrounding tissues, sampling for foreign antigens and pathogens. They express a broad range of receptors for the recognition of bacterial and viral components, including Toll-like receptors (TLR), NOD-like receptors and C-type lectin receptors [2]. Upon microbial contact or following stimulation by inflammatory cytokines, DCs undergo a maturation process characterized by the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and by a change in the repertoire of chemokine receptor expre...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - June 19, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Pascal Seeger, Tiziana Musso, Silvano Sozzani Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Protein Deregulation Associated with Breast Cancer Metastasis
Approximately 10-15% of patients with a breast cancer diagnosis will develop distant metastases within 3 years [1]. Metastasis is initiated when tumour cells detach from the primary site and extravasate into the blood or lymph circulation (Fig. 1). The disseminated tumour cells (DTC) survive in the circulation and then intravasate and colonize new tissues by forming micrometastases and subsequent macrometastases [2]. Metastatic breast cancer is difficult to treat because, once the tumour cells spread from the original site and become DTCs, they are relatively undetectable and can remain dormant for many years after the pri...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 30, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ka Kui Chan, Kyle B. Matchett, Paul M. McEnhill, El Habib Dakir, Mary Frances McMullin, Yahia El-Tanani, Laurence Patterson, Ahmed Faheem, Philip S. Rudland, Paul A. McCarron, Mohamed El-Tanani Source Type: research
Re-evaluating the role of activin-β in cancer biology
Inhibin and activin were originally discovered and classified as hormonal factors two decades ago. Their function was originally considered relevant to the reproductive axis only, but subsequent studies revealed they are widely distributed anatomically with important physiological functions not only limited to the reproduction [1–4]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 27, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Francesco Elia Marino, Gail Risbridger, Elspeth Gold Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Editorial Board and Publication information
(Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 23, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Regulation of cell fate by Lymphotoxin (LT) receptor signalling: Functional differences and similarities of the LT system to other TNF superfamily (TNFSF) members
The role of TNFR family members in regulating cell fate both in the immune system and in non-lymphoid tissues has been under extensive research for decades. Moreover, the ability of several family members (death receptors) to induce death (mainly via apoptosis) represents a promising target for cancer therapy. Many studies have focused mostly on death receptors such as TNFRI, Fas and TRAIL-R due to their strong pro-apoptotic potential. Yet, cell death can be triggered via non-classical death receptors, and the Lymphotoxin (LT) system represents a very good example of such a TNFR subfamily. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 21, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Balid Albarbar, Christopher Dunnill, Nikolaos T. Georgopoulos Source Type: research
The inducible E3 ubiquitin ligases SIAH1 and SIAH2 perform critical roles in breast and prostate cancers
In order to grow and survive, cells have to prevent an excessive accumulation of proteins as well as an unbalanced degradation of proteins [1,2]. The posttranslational modification of proteins, with poly-ubiquitin chains linked via lysine-48 of ubiquitin moieties, promotes their intracellular degradation by a multi-protease complex termed the proteasome [1,3,4]. The precise control of this ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) ensures that damaged, unnecessary, misfolded, and potentially harmful proteins are removed. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 12, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Shirley K. Knauer, Nisintha Mahendrarajah, Wynand P. Roos, Oliver H. Krämer Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Cytokines in atherosclerosis: key players in all stages of disease and promising therapeutic targets
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for most mortality worldwide and accounted for about 31.9% of all deaths in 2010 in the United States alone [1]. The total direct and indirect costs from CVD in 2010 were estimated at $315.4 billion [1]. Although morbidity and mortality from CVD has decreased in the last two decades, at least in the western world, it is expected that this will reverse in the future because of a global increase in diabetes and obesity along with an alarming rise in CVD in developing countries in part due to acquisition of a westernized lifestyle. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 12, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Dipak P. Ramji, Thomas S. Davies Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Vascular endothelial growth factors: A comparison between invertebrates and vertebrates
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) belongs to the highly conserved platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/VEGF group within the cysteine-knot superfamily of growth factors. This superfamily includes hormones and extracellular signaling molecules, such as PDGF, nerve growth factor, transforming growth factor-β and human chorionic gonadotropin [1]. These molecules do not possess a high sequence similarity, but they all have a typical cysteine-knot structure, which contains six conserved cysteine residues connected by three disulfide bridges. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - April 29, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Yulia O. Kipryushina, Konstantin V. Yakovlev, Nelly A. Odintsova Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Functions of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors in Cancer Defined by Novel Translocations and Mutations
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) represent important signal transducers in the cell membrane and are comprised of nearly twenty families of homologous proteins in humans, with almost 60 distinct members [1]. In the FGFR family, four homologous human receptors have been identified: FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4. All of the FGFRs exhibit three extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, a membrane-spanning segment and a split tyrosine kinase domain. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), a large family of related growth factors, act in concert with heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) as high-affinity FGFR agonists [2,3]. (S...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - April 20, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Leandro H. Gallo, Katelyn N. Nelson, April N. Meyer, Daniel J. Donoghue Source Type: research
