Description
Midkine (MK, MDK), or Neurite Growth-promoting Factor 2, is a basic heparin-binding growth factor1, a member of the NEGF family founded by Pleiotrophin. It is a non-glycosylated protein. It is a developmentally important retinoic acid-responsive gene product strongly induced during mid-gestation, hence the name midkine. Restricted mainly to certain tissues in the normal adult, it is strongly induced during oncogenesis, inflammation and tissue repair. MK is capable of exerting activities such as cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis and fibrinolysis. MK application could be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic heart failure.2