These findings are consistent with previous studies demonstrating that profilin-1 is released into the extracellular space in pathological conditions such as experimental glomerulonephritis [14], and that profilin-1 exerts cellular responses like DNA synthesis and upregulation of AP-1 DNA-binding activity in mesangial cells via activation of cell surface receptors [15]. The gene discussed is CD177; the disease is glomerulonephritis.