midkine

Midkine (MK) is a 13-kDa heparin-binding growth factor and cytokine that plays a critical role in cell proliferation, survival, migration, and angiogenesis. It is highly expressed during embryogenesis and is upregulated in various inflammatory diseases and cancers. In the context of psoriasis research, recombinant midkine protein is used as a research tool to investigate the pathogenesis of the disease. Studies have shown that midkine promotes keratinocyte proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating the production of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) through the Notch2/HES1/JAK2-STAT5A signaling pathway. While midkine is considered a potential therapeutic target for inhibition (e.g., via monoclonal antibodies), the recombinant protein itself is primarily utilized in laboratory settings to exacerbate disease models and evaluate signaling mechanisms.

Other names

MKmidkine recombinant proteinneurite growth-promoting factor 2NEGF2NEGF-2NEGF 2recombinant human midkine