Cancer

The biological function of YKL-40 is unknown but it has been shown to be a potent growth factor and a potent migration factor for endothelial cells. While YKL-40 is not significantly expressed in normal tissues, several studies have demonstrated substantial levels of YKL-40 expression in environments with inflammation or where substantial remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occurs (e.g. cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and fibrosis).

• YKL-40 is expressed by several types of primary and secondary carcinoma (breast, colon, lung, kidney, ovarian, prostate, uterine, oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma, osteosarcoma and germ cell tumors) (Johansen et al. 1992; Morrison et al. 1994; and the NCBI data base).
• YKL-40 is expressed by several types of carcinoma (breast, colon, lung, kidney, ovarian, prostate, uterine, oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma, osteosarcoma and germ cell tumors) (Johansen et al. 1992; Morrison et al. 1994; and the NCBI data base). YKL-40 is also secreted by macrophages (Kirckpatrick et al. 1997; Rehli et al. 1997; Boot et al. 1999; Johansen et al. 1999; Baeten et al. 2000), neutrophils (Volck et al. 1998) and chondrocytes (Hakala et al. 1993; Johansen et al. 2001).

Recommended Reading

Berntsen, A. et al. J Immunother. 31 (8):771-780, 2008.

Bhat, K.P. et al. FEBS Lett. 582 (21-22):3193-3200, 2008.