Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is a type of human MUC1 glycoprotein, whose glycopeptide sequence is recognized by a specific murine monoclonal antibody. KL-6 has a high expression by regenerating type II pneumocytes after epithelial injury.
Leptin is a peptide hormone released from adipose tissue and part of the adipokines. While leptin's role is classically described in the regulation of appetite, neuroendocrine function, and energy homeostasis, it seems to influence several other physiological processes. These include metabolism, endocrine regulation, and immune function, with possible other functions still awaiting characterization. Leptin abnormalities have associations with a variety of metabolic syndromes, particularly obesity.
LKM antibodies are rare. They contribute to establish a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, although they are also found in other liver diseases. The cytochrome P450 2D6 is one of the antigens recognized by LKM antibodies, but other antigens are likely targeted considering that 2D6 is minimally expressed in the kidney and yet LKM antibodies bind to kidney tubuli.
Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a multigene family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that share a similar structure and which collectively, have the capacity to degrade virtually every component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). MMP activity is inhibited specifically and reversibly by a group of structurally related, endogenous inhibitors known as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs).
Endogenous melatonin is a naturally produced hormone primarily synthesized and secreted in the pineal gland. Melatonin regulates the body's sleep-wake cycles by interacting with the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus and the retina.
The soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC, a.k.a., sC5b-9 or TCC) is generated on activation of complement and contains the complement proteins C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9 together with the regulatory proteins clusterin and/or vitronectin. sMAC is a unique complement activation macromolecule as it is comprised of several different subunits. To date no complement-mediated function has been identified for sMAC.
CXCL9, also known as monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG), is produced by myeloid cells in TME, and it mainly attracts CXCR3 receptor expressing cells, such as activated T cells and NK cells. More and more studies have found that CXCL9/10/11 plays an important role in the regulation of TME.
Growth and differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), also known as myostatin, is a member of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF- β 1) superfamily of GDFs that is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. Myostatin binds the type IIB activin receptor (ActRIIB) and type I co-receptor (Alk4/5) to regulate the expression of downstream target genes such as myogenic differentiation protein (MyoD) and myogenic factor-5 (Myf-5) via a TGF-β signaling pathway.
NCAM is involved in cell-to-cell interactions as well as cell-matrix interactions during development and differentiation. It plays a role in the development of the nervous system by regulating neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and cell migration. It is also involved in the expansion of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells which play an important role in immune surveillance. It plays a role in signal transduction.
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an intermediate filament protein that constitutes intermediate filaments, a part of the cytoskeleton, of neurons (intermediate filaments are sometimes referred to as nanofilaments). Together with the other four neuronal intermediate filament proteins, namely neurofilament heavy chain, neurofilament medium chain, alpha-internexin and peripherin, NfL assembles into neurofilaments, which are important for dendritic branching and growth and stability of axons in both central and peripheral nerves and for post-traumatic axonal regeneration. Axonal damage leads to NfL release into the extracellular space.