抵抗素样分子(resistin like molecule,RELM)家族是一类富含半胱氨酸的分泌蛋白,其结构在进化过程中十分保守,然而其分布却有着较大的种属和组织特异性。目前国内外对该蛋白家族的关注越来越多,该蛋白家族成员在低氧与炎症相关生理病理过程中起到不可忽视的作用,其在血管生长、平滑肌增殖、气道炎症、肠道免疫等方面的作用已有相关研究。本文就RELM家族成员的结构、分布特点、调控方式、下游信号通路和生物学功能,重点对其在人与鼠类的区别与联系以及该家族与低氧和炎症的关系作一综述。
Resistin-like molecules(RELMs) family is a kind of cysteine-rich secreted protein, its structure is highly conserved in the evolution. However, its distribution has great species and tissue specificity. Domestic and international attention has been put on this protein family currently. The members of the family proteins play important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of hypoxia and inflammation. The effects of RELMs family in vascular growth, smooth muscle cell proliferation, airway inflammation and intestinal immunity have been studied. This review summarize the structure, distribution characteristics, expression regulation, signal pathway, biological function of RELMs family members, especially the difference and relationship between species as well as its roles in hypoxia and inflammation.