Technical Articles

Proteins are the primary executors of life activities, and the precise analysis of their structure and function is one of the core propositions of contemporary life science research.

Macrophages play an important role in defending against microbial infections, but abnormal activation of macrophage function can trigger inflammation and lead to significant histopathological changes. In atherosclerotic plaques, there are notable histopathological alterations, and abnormal activation of macrophage function is also evident in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is an actively initiated cell death process in response to survival conditions. In the early stages of apoptosis, although the integrity of the cell is maintained, changes in its surface structure begin to occur.

Transforming growth factor β1 was discovered in biochemical research in the 1970s and was initially used to isolate soluble factors that induce anchorage-independent growth or transformation of normal cells.

Stem cell factor is an important hematopoietic growth factor belonging to the type III transmembrane protein family. This protein consists of 273 amino acid residues, with a molecular weight of approximately 31 kilodaltons, and exists in two forms: membrane-bound and soluble.

Leukemia inhibitory factor belongs to the IL-6 cytokine family and is a multifunctional glycoprotein. This protein consists of 180 amino acid residues, with a molecular weight of approximately 20 to 25 kilodaltons, and contains seven α-helical domains, forming a typical four-helix bundle structure.

The Klotho gene was discovered by Japanese researchers while studying spontaneous hypertension, and it is closely related to the aging process. The researchers named the gene after the Greek goddess of fate, Klotho.

IL-13 protein is a pleiotropic cytokine secreted by various cells, including CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, and natural killer cells, with type 2 helper T cells being its primary source.

IL-5 protein is a pleiotropic cytokine, also known as T-cell replacing factor, eosinophil colony-stimulating factor 1, and eosinophil differentiation factor. This protein is primarily produced by T cells and plays a significant role in immune regulation.

The IL-2 protein is a type I four α-helix bundle cytokine, primarily produced by conventional T cells following engagement of the T cell receptor and the co-stimulatory molecule CD28.