Osteoblast Specific Factor 1 (Pleiotrophin, PTN, Heparin-binding growth-associated molecule, HB-GAM, Heparin-binding growth factor 8, HBGF-8, OSF-1, Heparin-binding neurite outgrowth-promoting factor 1, HBNF-1, Heparin-binding brain mitogen, HBBM)

Pleiotrophin (Osteoblast-Specific Factor-1, OSF-1) contains 136 amino acid residues. The sequence is very rich in cationic amino acids (24% of the residues); lysine cluster sequences are found in the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of the structure. The OSF-1 gene was shown by Northern blotting analysis to be expressed in mouse calvarial osteoblast-enriched cells and in mouse brain tissues, but not in thymus, spleen, kidney, liver, lung, testis or heart. Pliotrophin has the ability to promote adhesion, migration, expansion, and differentiation of human osteoprogenitor cells. In addition to certain types of cancer, the embryonic growth and differentiation factor pleiotrophin is found also in adults in inflammatory diseases. In osteoarthritis, pleiotrophin is especially expressed in early stages, and its concentrations in the synovial fluid could serve as a marker for the progress of the disease. Pleitrophin might be involved in cartilage repair in osteoarthritis, in particular, in earlier stages.

• References to Osteoblast Specific Factor 1 (Pleiotrophin, PTN, Heparin-binding growth-associated molecule, HB-GAM, Heparin-binding growth factor 8, HBGF-8, OSF-1, Heparin-binding neurite outgrowth-promoting factor 1, HBNF-1, Heparin-binding brain mitogen, HBBM)