Cardiotrophin-like Cytokine Increases Macrophage-Foam Cell Transition.

CLCF1 is a neurotrophic and B cell-stimulating factor belonging to the IL-6 family. Mutations in the gene coding for CLCF1 or its secretion partner CRLF1 lead to the development of severe phenotypes, suggesting important nonredundant roles in development, metabolism, and immunity. Although CLCF1 was shown to promote the proliferation of the myeloid cell line M1, its roles on myeloid activation remain underinvestigated.