Fig. 1.

Functions of TSPs. Key: experimentally demonstrated function (+), or absence of activity (−). For proliferation, S: stimulation, I: inhibition and depends on the cell-type. NT: not tested. Underlined properties are known to be mediated by the type 1 repeats and are therefore unlikely to be shared in pentameric TSPs by the same mechanism. (*): indicates function is cell-type dependent, either because of cell-binding to different TSP domains or because of the interaction of different cell-type-specific receptors with the same TSP domain. Cell-cell interactions include binding of parasitised red blood cells to endothelium, binding of T cells to activated endothelium, macrophage interactions with apoptotic cells, and neurite outgrowth on appropriate cell layers.