Cardiotrophin 1

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a protein encoded by the CTF1 gene in humans. It functions as a cytokine and acts as a 21.5 kDa cardiac hypertrophic factor. CT-1 belongs to the IL-6 cytokine family.

CT-1 is highly expressed in the heart, skeletal muscle, prostate and ovary and to lower levels in lung, kidney, pancreas, thymus, testis and small intestine.

The protein exerts its cellular effects by interacting with the glycoprotein 130 (gp130)/leukemia inhibitory factor receptor beta (LIFR) heterodimer. In addition, CT-1 activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase) in cardiac myocytes and enhances transcription factor NF-κB DNA -binding activities.

CT-1 is associated with the pathophysiology of heart diseases, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, and congestive heart failure.