| platelet-activating factor | <cytokine> Potent phospholipid activator and mediator of many leucocyte functions, including platelet aggregation, inflammation, and anaphylaxis. It is produced in response to specific stimuli by a variety of cell types, including neutrophils, basophils, platelets, and endothelial cells. Several molecular species of platelet-activating factor have been identified which vary in the length of the O-alkyl side chain. It is an important mediator of bronchoconstriction. Synonym: platelet-aggregating factor. Acronym: PAF (20 Sep 2002) |
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| platelet-aggregating factor | <cytokine> Potent phospholipid activator and mediator of many leucocyte functions, including platelet aggregation, inflammation, and anaphylaxis. It is produced in response to specific stimuli by a variety of cell types, including neutrophils, basophils, platelets, and endothelial cells. Several molecular species of platelet-activating factor have been identified which vary in the length of the O-alkyl side chain. It is an important mediator of bronchoconstriction. Synonym: platelet-aggregating factor. Acronym: PAF (20 Sep 2002) |
| platelet-derived growth factor | <growth factor> The major mitogen in serum for growth in culture of cells of connective tissue origin. It consists of 2 different but homologous polypeptides A and B (~30,000 D) linked by disulphide bonds. Believed to play a role in wound healing. It is carried in the alpha-granules of platelets and is released when platelets adhere to traumatised tissues. Connective tissue cells near the traumatised region respond by initiating the process of replication. The B chain is almost identical in sequence to p28sis, the transforming protein of simian sarcoma virus, that can transform only those cells that express receptors for platelet derived growth factor, suggesting that transformation is caused by autocrine stimulation. The receptor is a tyrosine kinase. Acronym: PDGF (12 Dec 1998) |
| platelet factor 3 | <haematology> Phospholipid associated with the platelet plasma membrane that contributes to the blood clotting cascade by forming a complex (thromboplastin) with other plasma proteins and activating prothrombin. (31 Dec 1997) |
| platelet factor 4 | <haematology> Platelet released protein that promotes blood clotting by neutralising heparin. (31 Dec 1997) |
| platelet tissue factor | <haematology> Traditional name for substance in plasma that converts prothrombin to thrombin. Now known not to be a single substance. (See thrombin). (18 Nov 1997) |
| mullerian inhibiting factor | A 535 amino acid glycoprotein secreted by the Sertoli cells of the testis. It is related to inhibin. Synonym: mullerian inhibiting factor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mullerian regression factor | Mullerian duct inhibitory factor, a non-steroidal substance of foetal testicular origin that acts unilaterally to inhibit development of the paramesonephric (mullerian) ducts and acts with testosterone to promote development of the vas deferens and related structures. (05 Mar 2000) |
| multi-colony-stimulating factor | <cytokine> Product of mitogen activated T-cells: colony-stimulating factor for bone marrow stem cells and mast cells. A multilineage cell growth factor secreted by lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and astrocytes which stimulates clonal proliferation and differentiation of various types of blood and tissue cells. It is considered one of the haematopoietic colony-stimulating factors. Synonym: multi-CSF Acronym: IL-3 (12 Dec 1998) |
| confounding factor | <epidemiology> Factors that can cause or prevent the outcome of interest, are not intermediate variables, and are not associated with the factor(s) under investigation. They give rise to situations in which the effects of two processes are not separated, or the contribution of causal factors cannot be separated, or the measure of the effect of exposure or risk is distorted because of its association with other factors influencing the outcome of the study. (03 Jul 1999) |
| multipotential colony-stimulating factor | <cytokine> Product of mitogen activated T-cells: colony-stimulating factor for bone marrow stem cells and mast cells. A multilineage cell growth factor secreted by lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and astrocytes which stimulates clonal proliferation and differentiation of various types of blood and tissue cells. It is considered one of the haematopoietic colony-stimulating factors. Synonym: multi-CSF Acronym: IL-3 (12 Dec 1998) |
| cord factor | Glycolipid (trehalose 6, 6' dimycolate) found in the cell walls of Mycobacteria (causing them to grow in serpentine cords) and important in virulence, being toxic and inducing granulomatous reactions identical to those induced by the whole organism. (18 Nov 1997) |
| corticotrophin releasing factor | adrenocorticotrophin |
| corticotropin-releasing factor | <endocrinology, physiology> A neuropeptide released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of corticotropin by the anterior pituitary gland. Chemical name: Corticotropin-releasing factor Synonym: corticoliberin, corticotropin releasing factor. (12 Dec 1998) |
| myocardial depressant factor | A low molecular weight peptide of about 800-1000 having a negative inotropic effect. It is released into the circulation during experimental haemorrhagic pancreatitis, severe ischemia, and postoligaemic shock. (12 Dec 1998) |