The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein preferentially induces apoptosis in transformed and tumor cells, but does not appear to kill normal cells although it is expressed at a significant level in most normal tissues. This protein binds to several members of TNF receptor superfamily including TNFRSF10A/TRAILR1, TNFRSF10B/TRAILR2, TNFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4, and possibly also to TNFRSF11B/OPG. The acti

IL18 binding protein binds to IL18, prevents the binding of IL18 to its receptor, and thus inhibits IL18 induced IFN gamma production. It is constitutively expressed and secreted in mononuclear cells and can be enhanced by IFN gamma. An elevated level of this protein is detected in the intestinal tissues of patients with Crohn disease. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

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 described here is a T cell- and natural killer cell-specific serine protease that may function as a common component necessary for lysis of target cells by cyt

The mammalian type I Inteferons (IFN1) are produced in response to viral infection and other inducers. They are divided into alpha and beta subtypes leukocytes and fibroblasts reactivity. The human IFN alphas are encoded by a family of at least 15 different genes, while IFN beta is the unique member of its subtype. There is approximately 50% amino acid homology between the alpha and beta subtypes. Both IFN subtypes are pleiotropic cytokines and have a similar range of biological activities

Hepcidin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HAMP gene. Hepcidin is a key regulator of the entry of iron into the circulation in mammals. In states in which the hepcidin level is abnormally high such as inflammation, serum iron falls due to iron trapping within macrophages and liver cells and decreased gut iron absorption. This typically leads to anemia due to an inadequate amount of serum iron being available for developing red cells. When the hepcidin level is abnormally low such