The roles of activin in cytoprotection and tissue repair.
Activin is a member of the transforming growth factor beta family of growth and differentiation factors. Initially discovered as a protein that stimulates release of follicle-stimulating hormone, it is now well accepted as an important regulator of cell growth and differentiation. Most interestingly, a series of previous studies have revealed novel roles of activin in inflammation and repair. Our own results have provided evidence for an important function of activin in cutaneous wound repair as well as in neuroprotection, and these data will be summarized and discussed in this chapter.
Wankell
Miriam
M
Institute of Cell Biology, ETH Zürich, Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Werner
Silke
S
Alzheimer
Christian
C
Werner
Sabine
S
D028341:Activins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection; D038681:Follistatin / Q000502:physiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014945:Wound Healing
D038681:Follistatin; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D028341:Activins