Cystatin C, also known as Cystatin-3 (CST3) is a secreted type 2 cysteine protease inhibitor synthesized in all nucleated cells, has been proposed as a replacement for serum creatinine for the assessment of renal function, particularly to detect small reductions in glomerular filtration rate. The mature, active form of human cystatin C is a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 120 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 13,343-13,359 Da, and containing four characteristic disulfide-paired cysteine residues. Cystatin C is a low-molecular-weight protein that has been proposed as a marker of renal function that could replace creatinine. Indeed, the concentration of Cystatin C is mainly determined by glomerular filtration and is particularly of interest in clinical settings where the relationship between creatinine production and muscle mass impairs the clinical performance of creatinine. Since the last decade, numerous studies have evaluated its potential use in measuring renal function in various populations. More recently, other potential developments for its clinical use have emerged. In almost all the clinical studies, Cystatin C demonstrated a better diagnostic accuracy than serum creatinine in discriminating normal from impaired kidney function, but controversial results have been obtained by comparing this protein with other indices of kidney disease, especially serum creatinine-based equations, such as early atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's dementia, vascular aneurysms, hyperhomocysteinaemia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Cystatin C could be a useful clinical tool to identify HIV-infected persons. In addition, its expression is up-regulated in malignance of certain tumor progression.
Collagen triple helix repeat-containing protein 1, also known as Protein NMTC1, and CTHRC1, is a secreted protein that is glycosylated and highly conserved from lower chordates to mammals. CTHRC1 expression was not detectable in normal arteries. However, it is transiently expressed in the arterial wall in response to injury where it may contribute to vascular remodeling by limiting collagen matrix deposition and promoting cell migration. A short collagen motif with 12 Gly-X-Y repeats appears to be responsible for trimerization of the CTHRC1 protein and this renders the molecule susceptible to cleavage by collagenase. CTHRC1 overexpression caused a dramatic reduction in collagen type I mRNA and protein levels. Currently available data indicate that Cthrc1 expression in vascular cells regulates transforming growth factor beta responsiveness, thereby impacting transforming growth factor beta target genes, including collagens. Additionally, CTHRC1 increases bone mass as a positive regulator of osteoblastic bone formation and offers an anabolic approach for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4, also known as CTLA4 and CD152, is a single-pass type I membrane protein and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is the second member of the CD28 receptor family. The ligands or counterreceptors for these two proteins are the B7 family members, CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2). CTLA4 transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells, whereas CD28 transmits a stimulatory signal. Intracellular CTLA4 is also found in regulatory T cells and may play an important role in their functions. CD152 or cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an essential receptor involved in the negative regulation of T cell activation. Because of its profound inhibitory role, CD152 has been considered a sound susceptible candidate in autoimmunity and a persuasive target for cancer immunotherapy. In particular, recent evidence suggests that CD152 is also important in the homeostasis and function of a population of suppressive cells, termed regulatory T cells (Treg).
C-X-C motif chemokine 16 , also known as Small-inducible cytokine B16 , SR-PSOX , and CXCL16 , is a single-pass type I membrane protein which belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family. CXCL16 exists in transmembrane and soluble forms. The transmembrane form acts as a scavenger receptor for oxidised LDL whereas the soluble form acts a chemoattractant for mainly CD8+ T cells. CXCL16 is a protein which shares pattern recognition receptor functions , relevant for adhesion and phagocytosis of bacterial products , with the properties of an adhesion molecule and inflammatory chemokine. CXCL16/SR-PSOX is an interferon-gamma-regulated chemokine and scavenger receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein that is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. Proteolytic cleavage of membrane-bound CXCL16 releases soluble CXCL16 , which may promote migration of effector T cells and augment a proatherogenic inflammatory response. CXCL16/SR-PSOX can be a potential player in atherogenesis. Enhanced expression of CXCL16 has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic plaques and several properties have been attributed to CXCL16 that could influence the atherosclerotic process. Following in vitro studies suggested that as an adhesion molecule CXCL16/SR-PSOX might mediate T-cell adhesion to the endothelium , as a chemokine-drive T-cell migration , stimulate cell proliferation and elicit inflammatory phenotype in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and , finally , as a scavenger receptor-mediate uptake of atherogenic lipoproteins by macrophages and SMC. CXCR6 and its ligand CXCL16 in regulating metastasis and invasion of cancer. CXCR6 and CXCL16 are up-regulated in multiple cancer tissue types and cancer cell lines relative to normal tissues and cell lines. In addition , both CXCR6 and CXCL16 levels increase as tumor malignancy increases. Thus , CXCL16 and CXCR6 may mark cancers arising in an inflammatory milieu and mediate pro-tumorigenic effects of inflammation through direct effects on cancer cell growth and by inducing the migration and proliferation of tumor-associated leukocytes.
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