Table 2.

Periostin: biological characterization.

Structure	90 kDa matricellular protein
	4 isotypes by alternative splicing
	Fascillin family member
	Coded by POSTN-gene
Induced by	IL-4
	IL-13
	TGF-beta
Localization	Secreted by fibroblasts into extracelluar matrix (ECM)
Interaction /ligands	Interaction with integrin molecules on cell surfaces as alpha-V/beta1, alpha-V/beta3 and alpha-V/beta5
Biological effects	Modulates tissue differentiation, growth, and remodeling
	Interaction between periostin and ECM proteins: pathogeneseis of fibrosis
	Migration, chemotaxis and adhesion of eosinophils: enhancement of TH2 Inflammation
	Inhibition of mucus production