The cystatin superfamily members are important natural cysteine protease inhibitors present in a wide variety of organisms and are divided into three classes. Cystatin F, also known as leukocystatin and CMAP (Cystatin-like Metastasis-Associated Protein), is a type 2 cystatin and its expression is limited to hematopoietic cells, with the highest expression levels being observed in monocytes, dendritic cells, and certain types of T-cells. Furthermore, cystatin F mRNA becomes up-regulated during dendritic cell maturation, and thus suggests a specific role of cystatin F in immune regulation. Cystatin F is produced as a dimer, an inactive cathepsin inhibitor which is activated by chemical reduction. In addition, Cystatin F and its homologues have been observed expressing in various human cancer cell lines established from malignant tumors, and thus indicates a new diagnosis and prevention approach of certain human carcinomas metastasis.
