title: Activin-A exerts a crucial anti-inflammatory role in neonatal infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Activin-A is a cytokine with a critical role in infections and associated inflammation in experimental models and humans. Still, the effects of activin-A on neonatal infections remain elusive. Here, we investigated the expression of activin-A in the serum of septicemic preterm and term neonates and in peripheral blood leukocytes stimulated with inflammatory agents in vitro. The role of activin-A in the regulation of inflammatory responses by neonatal leukocytes was delineated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood was obtained from 37 septicemic neonates between the first and fifth days postinfection and from 35 healthy controls. Isolated monocytes and lymphocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro in the presence of activin-A. Cell proliferation, cytokine, and chemokine release were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activin-A was significantly increased in the serum of preterm septicemic neonates. Neonatal leukocytes secreted copious amounts of activin-A following stimulation, pointing to these cells as an essential source of activin-A in the circulation. Of note, treatment of neonatal leukocytes with activin-A during PHA and LPS stimulation resulted in significantly decreased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and CXCL8 production, concomitant with a striking increase in the anti-inflammatory mediator, IL-10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings uncover activin-A as a novel immunomodulatory agent critical for the control of inflammatory responses in septicemic neonates.
authors.affiliation: B' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Aghia Sophia Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eutichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrakou
authors.affiliation: B' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Aghia Sophia Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fotopoulos
authors.affiliation: B' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Aghia Sophia Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anagnostakou
authors.affiliation: B' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Aghia Sophia Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Fani
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anatolitou
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samitas
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Semitekolou
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xanthou
authors.affiliation: B' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Aghia Sophia Childrens' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xanthou
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007239:Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins