The TGFBeta superfamily is composed of numerous growth and differentiation factors, including transforming growth factors Beta(TGFBeta) 1,2 and 3; placental transforming growth factor (PTGFBeta);growth /differentiation factors (GDFs); mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS);bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs);glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF);inhibins or activins (Alpha,Beta-A, Beta-B and Beta-C),Lefty and Nodal. Members of the TGF superfamily are involved in embryonic developmen

Interleukin 7 (IL7) is a lymphoid cell growth factor that affects pre-B, pro-B, and early T cells. IL7 was previously known as pre-B cell growth factor and lymphopoietin 1. IL7 supports the growth of early B cells from long-term lymphoid bone marrow cultures. It is mitogenic to thymocytes and enhances the response of cells to other stimuli such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA). IL7 stimulates the proliferation of CD4+/CD8+ cells. The proliferative response of thymocyt

This gene is one of several CC cytokine genes clustered on the p-arm of chromosome 9. Cytokines are a family of secreted proteins involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. The CC cytokines are proteins characterized by two adjacent cysteines. Similar to other chemokines the protein encoded by this gene inhibits hemopoiesis and stimulates chemotaxis. This protein is chemotactic in vitro for thymocytes and activated T cells, but not for B cells, macrophages, or neutrophils. The

Klotho is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the KL gene.This gene encodes a type-I membrane protein that is related to β-glucuronidases. Reduced production of this protein has been observed in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), and this may be one of the factors underlying the degenerative processes (e.g., arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, and skin atrophy) seen in CRF. Also, mutations within this protein have been associated with ageing, bone loss and alcohol consumption.Transge

Cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells share the remarkable ability to recognize, bind, and lyse specific target cells. They are thought to protect their host by lysing cells bearing on their surface 'nonself' antigens, usually peptides or proteins resulting from infection by intracellular pathogens. The protein encoded by this gene is crucial for the rapid induction of target cell apoptosis by CTL in cell-mediated immune response. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

CXCL16 acts as a scavenger receptor on macrophages, which specifically binds to OxLDL (oxidized low density lipoprotein), suggesting that it may be involved in pathophysiology such as atherogenesis. It induces a strong chemotactic response and calcium mobilization. It binds to CXCR6/Bonzo.