Histamine-releasing factor (HRF) is a cytokine-like molecule that causes the release of histamine, IL-4 and IL-13 from basophils as well as the secretion of IL-8 and a calcium response in eosinophils. HRF belongs to the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) family. It is expressed in several healthy and tumoral cells, including erythrocytes, hepatocytes, macrophages, platelets, keratinocytes, erythroleukemia cells, gliomas, melanomas, hepatoblastomas and lymphomas, and it is localized in the cytoplasm. HRF plays a pivotal role in allergic diseases, and due to its wide distribution in brain, is thought to be involved in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome.
