CXCL7 is a small cytokine which is also an isoform of Beta-Thromboglobulin or Pro-Platelet basic protein belonging to the CXC chemokine family and it is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. The rat CXCL7 shares 58 % and 77 % a.a. sequence identity with human and mouse CXCL7. CXCL7 stimulates DNA synthesis, mitosis, glycolysis, intracellular cAMP accumulation, prostaglandin E2 secretion, and synthesis of hyaluronic acid and sulfated glycosaminoglycan. It also stimulates the formation and secretion of plasminogen activator by human synovial cells.