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Y‐box protein (YB)‐1 of the cold‐shock protein family functions in gene transcription and RNA processing. Extracellular functions have not been reported, but the YB‐1 staining pattern in inflammatory glomerular diseases, without adherence to cell boundaries, suggests an extracellular occurrence. Here, we show the secretion of YB‐1 by mesangial and monocytic cells after inflammatory challenges. It should be noted that YB‐1 was secreted through a non‐classical mode resembling that of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor. YB‐1 release requires ATP‐binding cassette transporters, and microvesicles protect YB‐1 from protease degradation. Two lysine residues in the YB‐1 carboxy‐terminal domain are crucial for its release, probably because of post‐translational modifications. The addition of purified recombinant YB‐1 protein to different cell types results in increased DNA synthesis, cell proliferation and …