Description
Cytokine that may play an important role during carcinogenesis and metanephric kidney organogenesis, as a BMP antagonist required for early limb outgrowth and patterning in maintaining the FGF4-SHH feedback loop. Down-regulates the BMP4 signaling in a dose-dependent manner (By similarity). Antagonist of BMP2; inhibits BMP2-mediated differentiation of osteoblasts (in vitro) (By similarity). Acts as inhibitor of monocyte chemotaxis (PubMed:15528323). Can inhibit the growth or viability of normal cells but not transformed cells when is overexpressed