title: Activin and related proteins in inflammation: not just interested bystanders.
abstract: Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is released rapidly into the circulation during inflammation. This review examines the evidence that activin is a critical mediator of inflammation and immunity. Activin modulates several aspects of the inflammatory response, including release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide production and immune cell activity. Crucially, inhibiting activin with follistatin, a high affinity binding protein, alters the pattern of cytokines released and improves survival in a mouse model of endotoxic shock. Serum and tissue concentrations of activin are elevated in a wide range of pathological conditions. The utility of activin as a diagnostic marker of clinical inflammation and the use of follistatin to block activin actions therapeutically are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. david.phillips@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: de Kretser
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hedger
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D038681:Follistatin / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D038681:Follistatin; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins