Background　Resistin-like molecule-α（RELM-α） known as found in inflammatory zone 1（FIZZ1） has been found to be a new type of secretory cytokine in recent years. The studies have showed that RELM-α has many physiological functions and is involved in development of many diseases.　Objective　To review the physiological actions and mechanism of RELM-α to provide a reference for further research and to inspire new research fields.　Content　This article is based on the current research progress. RELM-α was summarized mainly from two aspects： the various physiological functions and its mechanism of action.　Trend　RELM-α has raised more and more researchers' concerns. More studies focus on RELM-α related pulmonary diseases， but less on its roles in other diseases and mechanism of action. So it has a wide research prospect.