CT-1 is a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines which also includes LIF, CNTF, OSM (Oncostatin M), IL-11, IL-6 and possibly NNT-1/BCSF-3. CT-1 is a pleiotropic cytokine which is expressed in various tissues including the adult heart, skeletal muscle, ovary, colon, prostate and fetal lung and signals through the LIF receptor and the gp130 receptor subunit. CT-1 has the ability to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy, and enhances the survival of cardiomyocyte and different neuronal populations. Recombinant murine Cardiotrophin-1 is a 21.3 kDa protein consisting of 202 amino acid residues.
