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Kundra S, Kaur R, Pasricha C, Kumari P, Gurjeet Singh T, Singh R. Pathological insights into activin A: Molecular underpinnings and therapeutic prospects in various diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112709. [PMID: 39032467 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Activin A (Act A) is a member of the TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) superfamily. It communicates via the Suppressor of Mothers against Decapentaplegic Homolog (SMAD2/3) proteins which govern processes such as cell proliferation, wound healing, apoptosis, and metabolism. Act A produces its action by attaching to activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) or activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). Increasing circulating Act A increases ActRII signalling, which on phosphorylation initiates the ALK4 (activin receptor-like kinase 4) type 1 receptor which further turns on the SMAD pathway and hinders cell functioning. Once triggered, this route leads to gene transcription, differentiation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. Act A also governs the immunological and inflammatory responses of the body, as well as cell death. Moreover, Act A levels have been observed to elevate in several disorders like renal fibrosis, CKD, asthma, NAFLD, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory conditions etc. Here, we provide an update on the recent studies relevant to the role of Act A in the modulation of various pathological disorders, giving an overview of the biology of Act A and its signalling pathways, and discuss the possibility of incorporating activin-A targeting as a novel therapeutic approach for the control of various disorders. Pathways such as SMAD signaling, in which SMAD moves to the nucleus by making a complex and leads to tissue fibrosis in CKD, STAT3, which drives renal fibroblast activity and the production of ECM, Kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) in the synthesis, deposition of ECM proteins, SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase) in cardiac dysfunction, and NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) in inflammation are involved in Act A signaling, have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejal Kundra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Chirag Pasricha
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Pratima Kumari
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | | | - Ravinder Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
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Wiley MB, Bauer J, Alvarez V, Mehrotra K, Cheng W, Kolics Z, Giarrizzo M, Ingle K, Bialkowska AB, Jung B. Activin A signaling stimulates neutrophil activation and macrophage migration in pancreatitis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9382. [PMID: 38654064 PMCID: PMC11039671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60065-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is associated with high mortality and current treatment options are limited to supportive care. We found that blockade of activin A (activin) in mice improves outcomes in two murine models of AP. To test the hypothesis that activin is produced early in response to pancreatitis and is maintained throughout disease progression to stimulate immune cells, we first performed digital spatial profiling (DSP) of human chronic pancreatitis (CP) patient tissue. Then, transwell migration assays using RAW264.7 mouse macrophages and qPCR analysis of "neutrophil-like" HL-60 cells were used for functional correlation. Immunofluorescence and western blots on cerulein-induced pancreatitis samples from pancreatic acinar cell-specific Kras knock-in (Ptf1aCreER™; LSL-KrasG12D) and functional WT Ptf1aCreER™ mouse lines mimicking AP and CP to allow for in vivo confirmation. Our data suggest activin promotes neutrophil and macrophage activation both in situ and in vitro, while pancreatic activin production is increased as early as 1 h in response to pancreatitis and is maintained throughout CP in vivo. Taken together, activin is produced early in response to pancreatitis and is maintained throughout disease progression to promote neutrophil and macrophage activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Wiley
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jessica Bauer
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Valentina Alvarez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kunaal Mehrotra
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Wenxuan Cheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Zoe Kolics
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael Giarrizzo
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Komala Ingle
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Agnieszka B Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Barbara Jung
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Nieuwenhuizen NE, Nouailles G, Sutherland JS, Zyla J, Pasternack AH, Heyckendorf J, Frye BC, Höhne K, Zedler U, Bandermann S, Abu Abed U, Brinkmann V, Gutbier B, Witzenrath M, Suttorp N, Zissel G, Lange C, Ritvos O, Kaufmann SHE. Activin A levels are raised during human tuberculosis and blockade of the activin signaling axis influences murine responses to M. tuberculosis infection. mBio 2024; 15:e0340823. [PMID: 38376260 PMCID: PMC10936190 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03408-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Activin A strongly influences immune responses; yet, few studies have examined its role in infectious diseases. We measured serum activin A levels in two independent tuberculosis (TB) patient cohorts and in patients with pneumonia and sarcoidosis. Serum activin A levels were increased in TB patients compared to healthy controls, including those with positive tuberculin skin tests, and paralleled severity of disease, assessed by X-ray scores. In pneumonia patients, serum activin A levels were also raised, but in sarcoidosis patients, levels were lower. To determine whether blockade of the activin A signaling axis could play a functional role in TB, we harnessed a soluble activin type IIB receptor fused to human IgG1 Fc, ActRIIB-Fc, as a ligand trap in a murine TB model. The administration of ActRIIB-Fc to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected mice resulted in decreased bacterial loads and increased numbers of CD4 effector T cells and tissue-resident memory T cells in the lung. Increased frequencies of tissue-resident memory T cells corresponded with downregulated T-bet expression in lung CD4 and CD8 T cells. Altogether, the results suggest a disease-exacerbating role of ActRIIB signaling pathways. Serum activin A may be useful as a biomarker for diagnostic triage of active TB or monitoring of anti-tuberculosis therapy. IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death by a bacterial pathogen. The etiologic agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can remain dormant in the infected host for years before causing disease. Significant effort has been made to identify biomarkers that can discriminate between latently infected and actively diseased individuals. We found that serum levels of the cytokine activin A were associated with increased lung pathology and could discriminate between active tuberculosis and tuberculin skin-test-positive healthy controls. Activin A signals through the ActRIIB receptor, which can be blocked by administration of the ligand trap ActRIIB-Fc, a soluble activin type IIB receptor fused to human IgG1 Fc. In a murine model of tuberculosis, we found that ActRIIB-Fc treatment reduced mycobacterial loads. Strikingly, ActRIIB-Fc treatment significantly increased the number of tissue-resident memory T cells. These results suggest a role for ActRIIB signaling pathways in host responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and activin A as a biomarker of ongoing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E. Nieuwenhuizen
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Geraldine Nouailles
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jayne S. Sutherland
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Joanna Zyla
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Arja H. Pasternack
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jan Heyckendorf
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Björn C. Frye
- Department of Pneumology, Clinic, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Höhne
- Department of Pneumology, Clinic, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Zedler
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Bandermann
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Abu Abed
- Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Brinkmann
- Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgitt Gutbier
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Witzenrath
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Suttorp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany
| | - Gernot Zissel
- Department of Pneumology, Clinic, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Lange
- Division of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
- Respiratory Medicine and International Health, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children´s Hospital, Global TB Program, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stefan H. E. Kaufmann
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Emeritus Group Systems Immunology, Göttingen, Germany
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - the CAPNETZ Study group
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Pneumology, Clinic, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany
- Division of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
- Respiratory Medicine and International Health, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children´s Hospital, Global TB Program, Houston, Texas, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Emeritus Group Systems Immunology, Göttingen, Germany
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - the DZIF TB study group
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Pneumology, Clinic, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, Berlin, Germany
- CAPNETZ STIFTUNG, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany
- Division of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
- Respiratory Medicine and International Health, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children´s Hospital, Global TB Program, Houston, Texas, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Emeritus Group Systems Immunology, Göttingen, Germany
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Divolis G, Synolaki E, Doulou A, Gavriil A, Giannouli CC, Apostolidou A, Foster ML, Matzuk MM, Skendros P, Galani IE, Sideras P. Neutrophil-derived Activin-A moderates their pro-NETotic activity and attenuates collateral tissue damage caused by Influenza A virus infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302489. [PMID: 38476229 PMCID: PMC10929267 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-neutrophils, while developing in the bone marrow, transcribe the Inhba gene and synthesize Activin-A protein, which they store and release at the earliest stage of their activation in the periphery. However, the role of neutrophil-derived Activin-A is not completely understood. Methods To address this issue, we developed a neutrophil-specific Activin-A-deficient animal model (S100a8-Cre/Inhba fl/fl mice) and analyzed the immune response to Influenza A virus (IAV) infection. More specifically, evaluation of body weight and lung mechanics, molecular and cellular analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, flow cytometry and cell sorting of lung cells, as well as histopathological analysis of lung tissues, were performed in PBS-treated and IAV-infected transgenic animals. Results We found that neutrophil-specific Activin-A deficiency led to exacerbated pulmonary inflammation and widespread hemorrhagic histopathology in the lungs of IAV-infected animals that was associated with an exuberant production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Moreover, deletion of the Activin-A receptor ALK4/ACVR1B in neutrophils exacerbated IAV-induced pathology as well, suggesting that neutrophils themselves are potential targets of Activin-A-mediated signaling. The pro-NETotic tendency of Activin-A-deficient neutrophils was further verified in the context of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, a model characterized by robust peritoneal neutrophilia. Of importance, transcriptome analysis of Activin-A-deficient neutrophils revealed alterations consistent with a predisposition for NET release. Conclusion Collectively, our data demonstrate that Activin-A, secreted by neutrophils upon their activation in the periphery, acts as a feedback mechanism to moderate their pro-NETotic tendency and limit the collateral tissue damage caused by neutrophil excess activation during the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Divolis
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Synolaki
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Doulou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ariana Gavriil
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina C. Giannouli
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Apostolidou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Martin M. Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Panagiotis Skendros
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioanna-Evdokia Galani
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Sideras
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Wiley MB, Mehrotra K, Bauer J, Yazici C, Bialkowska AB, Jung B. Acute Pancreatitis: Current Clinical Approaches, Molecular Pathophysiology, and Potential Therapeutics. Pancreas 2023; 52:e335-e343. [PMID: 38127317 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), pancreatic inflammation leading to multiorgan failure, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is a critical need to identify novel therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes for SAP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify current clinical strategies, known molecular pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic targets for SAP. RESULTS Current clinical approaches focus on determining which patients will likely develop SAP. However, therapeutic options are limited to supportive care and fluid resuscitation. The application of a novel 5-cytokine panel accurately predicting disease outcomes in SAP suggests that molecular approaches will improve impact of future clinical trials in AP. CONCLUSIONS Inflammatory outcomes in acute pancreatitis are driven by several unique molecular signals, which compound to promote both local and systemic inflammation. The identification of master cytokine regulators is critical to developing therapeutics, which reduce inflammation through several mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Wiley
- From the Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kunaal Mehrotra
- From the Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jessica Bauer
- From the Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Cemal Yazici
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Agnieszka B Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Barbara Jung
- From the Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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McMinn PH, Ahmed A, Huttenlocher A, Beebe DJ, Kerr SC. The lymphatic endothelium-derived follistatin: activin A axis regulates neutrophil motility in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Integr Biol (Camb) 2023; 15:zyad003. [PMID: 36781971 PMCID: PMC10101905 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyad003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The lymphatic system plays an active role during infection, however the role of lymphatic-neutrophil interactions in host-defense responses is not well understood. During infection with pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia pestis, neutrophils traffic from sites of infection through the lymphatic vasculature, to draining lymph nodes to interact with resident lymphocytes. This process is poorly understood, in part, due to the lack of in vitro models of the lymphatic system. Here we use a 3D microscale lymphatic vessel model to examine neutrophil-lymphatic cell interactions during host defense responses to pathogens. In previous work, we have shown that follistatin is secreted at high concentrations by lymphatic endothelial cells during inflammation. Follistatin inhibits activin A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, and, together, these molecules form a signaling pathway that plays a role in regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Although follistatin and activin A are constitutively produced in the pituitary, gonads and skin, their major source in the serum and their effects on neutrophils are poorly understood. Here we report a microfluidic model that includes both blood and lymphatic endothelial vessels, and neutrophils to investigate neutrophil-lymphatic trafficking during infection with P. aeruginosa. We found that lymphatic endothelial cells produce secreted factors that increase neutrophil migration toward P. aeruginosa, and are a significant source of both follistatin and activin A during Pseudomonas infection. We determined that follistatin produced by lymphatic endothelial cells inhibits activin A, resulting in increased neutrophil migration. These data suggest that the follistatin:activin A ratio influences neutrophil trafficking during infection with higher ratios increasing neutrophil migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H McMinn
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adeel Ahmed
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sheena C Kerr
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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7
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Al-Hourani K, Ramamurthy N, Marchi E, Eichinger R, Li L, Fabris P, Drakesmith AH, Klenerman P. Innate triggering and antiviral effector functions of Activin A. Wellcome Open Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17237.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: First-line defence against viral infection is contingent upon rapid detection of conserved viral structural and genomic motifs by pattern recognition receptors, followed by activation of the type I IFN response and establishment of an antiviral state. Novel antiviral functions of bone morphogenetic protein and related activin cytokines, acting in conjunction with, and independently of, type I IFN, have recently been described. How these antiviral effects are mediated and triggered by viral infection has not been defined. Methods: Microarray and RNAseq data from hepatoma-derived cell lines stimulated with Activin A in vitro were interrogated both by pathway analysis and for evidence of IFN-stimulated gene induction. Liver tissue obtained from patients with chronic HCV were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for evidence of Activin A induction. Activin expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to nucleic acid analogues was quantified by RT-qCR, whereas induction dynamics in acute infection was investigated in in vitro Sendai virus infection and a murine influenza A. Results: Transcriptomic analyses delineated strikingly congruent patterns of gene regulation in hepatocytes stimulated with recombinant Activin A and IFNα in vitro. Activin A mRNA, encoded by INHBA, is induced upon activation of RIG-I, MDA5 and TLR7/8 viral nucleic acid sensors in vitro, across multiple cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In vivo, imurine influenza A also upregulated Inhba mRNA in the lung; this local upregulation of Inhba is retained in MAVS knockout mice, indicating roles for non-RIG-I-like receptors in its induction. Activin induction and signalling were also detectable in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Conclusions: These data suggest Activin A is triggered in parallel with type I IFN responses and can trigger related antiviral effector functions, with implications for the development of targeted antiviral therapies and revealing novel facets of Activin biology.
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Qi Y, Jiang L, Wu C, Li J, Wang H, Wang S, Chen X, Cui X, Liu Z. Activin A impairs ActRIIA + neutrophil recruitment into infected skin of mice. iScience 2021; 24:102080. [PMID: 33604525 PMCID: PMC7873648 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A levels are elevated during multiple severe infections and associated with an increased risk of death. However, the role of activin A in bacterial infection is still unclear. Here, we found that activin A levels were increased during S. aureus skin infection in mice. Administration of activin A increased the bacterial burden and promoted the spread of bacteria in vivo. Moreover, activin A inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis to N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine via the type IIA activin receptor (ActRIIA) in vitro and impaired ActRIIA+ neutrophil recruitment to infection foci in vivo. Additionally, we identified a novel subpopulation of neutrophils, ActRIIA+ neutrophils, which exhibit superior phagocytic capacity compared to ActRIIA− neutrophils and possess an N2-like immunoregulatory activity via secreting IL-10 and TGF-β. Taken together, these findings indicate that activin A inhibits the recruitment of ActRIIA+ neutrophils to infected foci, leading to the impairment of bacterial clearance, and thus may hamper early infection control. A novel activin A-responsitive subpopulation of neutrophils (ActRIIA+) was identified ActRIIA+ neutrophils exhibit N2-like immunoregulatory properties Activin A inhibits ActRIIA+ neutrophil recruitment to infected skin
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Lingling Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.,Department of Oral Comprehensive Therapy, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Chengdong Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Heyuan Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Shiji Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xintong Chen
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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9
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Dickinson M, Kliszczak AE, Giannoulatou E, Peppa D, Pellegrino P, Williams I, Drakesmith H, Borrow P. Dynamics of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β Superfamily Cytokine Induction During HIV-1 Infection Are Distinct From Other Innate Cytokines. Front Immunol 2020; 11:596841. [PMID: 33329587 PMCID: PMC7732468 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.596841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection triggers rapid induction of multiple innate cytokines including type I interferons, which play important roles in viral control and disease pathogenesis. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily is a pleiotropic innate cytokine family, some members of which (activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)) were recently demonstrated to exert antiviral activity against Zika and hepatitis B and C viruses but are poorly studied in HIV-1 infection. Here, we show that TGF-β1 is systemically induced with very rapid kinetics (as early as 1-4 days after viremic spread begins) in acute HIV-1 infection, likely due to release from platelets, and remains upregulated throughout infection. Contrastingly, no substantial systemic upregulation of activins A and B or BMP-2 was observed during acute infection, although plasma activin levels trended to be elevated during chronic infection. HIV-1 triggered production of type I interferons but not TGF-β superfamily cytokines from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, putatively explaining their differing in vivo induction; whilst lipopolysaccharide (but not HIV-1) elicited activin A production from myeloid DCs. These findings underscore the need for better definition of the protective and pathogenic capacity of TGF-β superfamily cytokines, to enable appropriate modulation for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dickinson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anna E Kliszczak
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Giannoulatou
- Computational Genomics Laboratory, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dimitra Peppa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Mortimer Market Centre, Department of HIV, CNWL NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Pellegrino
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Williams
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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10
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Törnblom S, Nisula S, Vaara ST, Poukkanen M, Andersson S, Pettilä V, Pesonen E. Neutrophil activation in septic acute kidney injury: A post hoc analysis of the FINNAKI study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2019; 63:1390-1397. [PMID: 31325317 DOI: 10.1111/aas.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation, reflected by high plasma interleukin-6 concentration, is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic patients. Neutrophil activation has pathophysiological significance in experimental septic AKI. We hypothesized that neutrophil activation is associated with AKI in critically ill sepsis patients. METHODS We measured plasma (n = 182) and urine (n = 118) activin A (a rapidly released cytosolic neutrophil protein), interleukin-8 (a chemotactic factor for neutrophils), myeloperoxidase (a neutrophil biomarker released in tissues), and interleukin-6 on intensive care unit admission (plasma and urine) and 24 hours later (plasma) in sepsis patients manifesting their first organ dysfunction between 24 hours preceding admission and the second calendar day in intensive care unit. AKI was defined by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. RESULTS Plasma admission interleukin-8 (240 [60-971] vs 50 [19-164] pg/mL, P < .001) and activin A (845 [554-1895] vs 469 [285-862] pg/mL, P < .001) were but myeloperoxidase (169 [111-300] vs 144 [88-215] ng/mL, P = .059) was not higher among patients with AKI compared with those without. Urine admission interleukin-8 (50.4 [19.8-145.3] vs 9.5 [2.7-28.7] ng/mL, P < .001) and myeloperoxidase (7.7 [1.5-12.6] vs 1.9 [0.4-6.9] ng/mL, P < .001) were but activin A (9.7 [1.4-42.6] vs 4.0 [0.0-33.0] ng/mL, P = .064) was not higher in AKI than non-AKI patients. Urine myeloperoxidase correlated with urine interleukin-8 (R = .627, P < .001) but not with plasma myeloperoxidase (R = .131, P = .158). CONCLUSION Interleukin-8 in plasma and urine was associated with septic AKI. Elevated plasma activin A indicates intravascular neutrophil activation in septic AKI. Concomitant plasma and urine myeloperoxidase measurements suggest neutrophil accumulation into injured kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Törnblom
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Intensive Care Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Sara Nisula
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Intensive Care Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Suvi T. Vaara
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Intensive Care Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Meri Poukkanen
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine Lapland Central Hospital Rovaniemi Finland
| | - Sture Andersson
- Department of Paediatrics Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Ville Pettilä
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Intensive Care Medicine University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Eero Pesonen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Anaesthesiology University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
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11
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Activin-A in the regulation of immunity in health and disease. J Autoimmun 2019; 104:102314. [PMID: 31416681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily of cytokines plays pivotal roles in the regulation of immune responses protecting against or contributing to diseases, such as, allergy, autoimmunity and cancer. Activin-A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, was initially identified as an inducer of follicle-stimulating hormone secretion. Extensive research over the past decades illuminated fundamental roles for activin-A in essential biologic processes, including embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, haematopoiesis, cell proliferation and tissue fibrosis. Activin-A signals through two type I and two type II receptors which, upon ligand binding, activate their kinase activity, phosphorylate the SMAD2 and 3 intracellular signaling mediators that form a complex with SMAD4, translocate to the nucleus and activate or silence gene expression. Most immune cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T and B lymphocytes and natural killer cells have the capacity to produce and respond to activin-A, although not in a similar manner. In innate immune cells, including macrophages, DCs and neutrophils, activin-A exerts a broad range of pro- or anti-inflammatory functions depending on the cell maturation and activation status and the spatiotemporal context. Activin-A also controls the differentiation and effector functions of Th cell subsets, including Th9 cells, TFH cells, Tr1 Treg cells and Foxp3+ Treg cells. Moreover, activin-A affects B cell responses, enhancing mucosal IgA secretion and inhibiting pathogenic autoantibody production. Interestingly, an array of preclinical and clinical studies has highlighted crucial functions of activin-A in the initiation, propagation and resolution of human diseases, including autoimmune diseases, such as, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, in allergic disorders, including allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis, in cancer and in microbial infections. Here, we provide an overview of the biology of activin-A and its signaling pathways, summarize recent studies pertinent to the role of activin-A in the modulation of inflammation and immunity, and discuss the potential of targeting activin-A as a novel therapeutic approach for the control of inflammatory diseases.
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12
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The role of Activin A in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a prominent mediator. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190377. [PMID: 31341010 PMCID: PMC6680371 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the aberrant formation of mature, lamellar bone in nonosseous tissue. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and devastating genetic disorder that causes progressive HO in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles throughout the body. FOP is attributed to an autosomal mutation in activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor. Initial studies show that mutant ALK2 drives HO by constitutively activating the BMP signaling pathway. Recently, mutant ALK2 has been shown to transduce Smad1/5 signaling and enhance chondrogenesis, calcification in response to Activin A, which normally signals through Smad2/3 and inhibits BMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, Activin A induces heterotopic bone formation via mutant ALK2, while inhibition of Activin A blocks spontaneous and trauma-induced HO. In this manuscript, we describe the molecular mechanism of the causative gene ALK2 in FOP, mainly focusing on the prominent role of Activin A in HO. It reveals a potential strategy for prevention and treatment of FOP by inhibition of Activin A. Further studies are needed to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Activin A in FOP in more detail.
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13
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Xu R, Hu J, Zhou X, Yang Y. Heterotopic ossification: Mechanistic insights and clinical challenges. Bone 2018; 109:134-142. [PMID: 28855144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Bone formation is exquisitely controlled both spatially and temporally. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is pathological bone formation in soft tissues that often leads to deleterious outcomes. Inherited genetic forms of HO can be life-threatening and can happen as early as in infancy. However, there is currently no effective treatment for HO as the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. Trauma-induced non-genetic forms of HO often occur as a common complication after surgeries or accidents, and the location of HO occurrence largely determines the symptom and outcome. While it has been difficult to determine the complicated factors causing HO, recent advancement in identifying cellular and molecular mechanism causing the genetic forms of HO may provide important insights in all HO. Here in this review, we summarize recent studies on HO to provide a current status of both clinical options of HO treatments and mechanical understanding of HO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoshi Xu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02215, USA; State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Cariology and Endodonics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Cariology and Endodonics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yingzi Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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14
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Qi Y, Ge J, Ma C, Wu N, Cui X, Liu Z. Activin A regulates activation of mouse neutrophils by Smad3 signalling. Open Biol 2018; 7:rsob.160342. [PMID: 28515224 PMCID: PMC5451541 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, acts as a pro-inflammatory factor in acute phase response, and influences the pathological progress of neutrophil-mediated disease. However, whether activin A can exert an effect on the activities of neutrophils remains unclear. In this study, we found that the release of activin A was enhanced from neutrophils of mouse when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, neutrophils were not only the source of activin A but also the target cells in response to activin A, in which canonical activin signalling components existed, and levels of ACTRIIA, SMAD3 and p-SMAD3 proteins were elevated in activin A-treated neutrophils. Next, the role of activin A was determined in regulation of neutrophils activities. Our data revealed that activin A induced O2− release and reactive oxygen species production, promoted IL-6 release, and enhanced phagocytosis, but failed to attract neutrophils migrating across the trans-well membrane. Moreover, we found that effect of activin A on IL-6 release from the peritoneal neutrophils of mouse was significantly attenuated by in vivo Smad3 knockdown. In summary, these data demonstrate that activin A can exert an effect on neutrophils activation in an autocrine/paracrine manner through Smad3 signalling, suggesting that activin A is an important regulator of neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhui Ma
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China .,Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
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15
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Hoda MA, Rozsas A, Lang E, Klikovits T, Lohinai Z, Torok S, Berta J, Bendek M, Berger W, Hegedus B, Klepetko W, Renyi-Vamos F, Grusch M, Dome B, Laszlo V. High circulating activin A level is associated with tumor progression and predicts poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:13388-99. [PMID: 26950277 PMCID: PMC4924649 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A (ActA)/follistatin (FST) signaling has been shown to be deregulated in different tumor types including lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Here, we report that serum ActA protein levels are significantly elevated in LADC patients (n=64) as compared to controls (n=46, p=0.015). ActA levels also correlated with more advanced disease stage (p<0.0001) and T (p=0.0035) and N (p=0.0002) factors. M1 patients had significantly higher ActA levels than M0 patients (p<0.001). High serum ActA level was associated with poor overall survival (p<0.0001) and was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor (p=0.004). Serum FST levels were increased only in female LADC patients (vs. female controls, p=0.031). Two out of five LADC cell lines secreted biologically active ActA, while FST was produced in all of them. Transcripts of both type I and II ActA receptors were detected in all five LADC cell lines. In conclusion, our study does not only suggest that measuring blood ActA levels in LADC patients might improve the prediction of prognosis, but also indicates that this parameter might be a novel non-invasive biomarker for identifying LADC patients with organ metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Alireza Hoda
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Rozsas
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Elisabeth Lang
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Klikovits
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zoltan Lohinai
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Torok
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Berta
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Matyas Bendek
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Walter Berger
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Hegedus
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,MTA-SE Molecular Oncology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Walter Klepetko
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ferenc Renyi-Vamos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Grusch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Dome
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viktoria Laszlo
- Translational Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Loumaye A, de Barsy M, Nachit M, Lause P, van Maanen A, Trefois P, Gruson D, Thissen JP. Circulating Activin A predicts survival in cancer patients. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2017; 8:768-777. [PMID: 28712119 PMCID: PMC5659049 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several experimental evidences pinpoint the possible role of Activin A (ActA) as a driver of cancer cachexia. Supporting this hypothesis, we showed recently that human cancer cachexia is associated with high ActA levels. Moreover, ActA levels were correlated with body weight loss and skeletal muscle density, two prognostic factors in cancer patients. Our goal was therefore to investigate the value of ActA to predict survival in cancer patients. METHODS Patients with colorectal or lung cancer were prospectively enrolled at the time of diagnosis or relapse between January 2012 and March 2014. At baseline, patients had clinical, nutritional, and functional assessment. Body composition and skeletal muscle density were measured by CT scan, and plasma ActA concentrations were determined. Overall survival (OS) was analysed since inclusion to 24 months later. RESULTS Survival data were available for 149 patients out of 152. Patients with high ActA (≥408 pg/mL) had lower OS than those with low levels, regardless the type of cancer (OS in colorectal cancer, 50% vs. 79%, P < 0.05; and in lung cancer, 27% vs. 67%, P = 0.001). The multivariable analysis confirmed the prognostic value of ActA independently of tumour stage or inflammatory markers, particularly in lung cancer. Low muscularity was also an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that high ActA level is an independent prognosis factor of survival in cancer patients. More than a basic marker of the severity of the neoplastic disease or of the inflammatory process, ActA seems to influence survival by contributing to the development of cachexia and loss of skeletal muscle mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Loumaye
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nutrition Department, IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie de Barsy
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Nachit
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nutrition Department, IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascale Lause
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nutrition Department, IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aline van Maanen
- King Albert II Cancer Institute, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Trefois
- Medical Imaging Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damien Gruson
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nutrition Department, IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory Medicine Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Thissen
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nutrition Department, IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Xie D, Liu Z, Wu J, Feng W, Yang K, Deng J, Tian G, Santos S, Cui X, Lin F. The effects of activin A on the migration of human breast cancer cells and neutrophils and their migratory interaction. Exp Cell Res 2017; 357:107-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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18
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Abdalmula A, Dooley LM, Kaufman C, Washington EA, House JV, Blacklaws BA, Ghosh P, Itescu S, Bailey SR, Kimpton WG. Immunoselected STRO-3 + mesenchymal precursor cells reduce inflammation and improve clinical outcomes in a large animal model of monoarthritis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:22. [PMID: 28173831 PMCID: PMC5297153 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-016-0460-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of intravenously administered immunoselected STRO-3 + mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) on clinical scores, joint pathology and cytokine production in an ovine model of monoarthritis. METHODS Monoarthritis was established in 16 adult merino sheep by administration of bovine type II collagen into the left hock joint following initial sensitization to this antigen. After 24 h, sheep were administered either 150 million allogeneic ovine MPCs (n = 8) or saline (n = 8) intravenously (IV). Lameness, joint swelling and pain were monitored and blood samples for leukocytes and cytokine levels were collected at intervals following arthritis induction. Animals were necropsied 14 days after arthritis induction and gross and histopathological evaluations were undertaken on tissues from the arthritic (left) and contralateral (right) joints. RESULTS MPC-treated sheep demonstrated significantly reduced clinical signs of lameness, joint pain and swelling compared with saline controls. They also showed decreased cartilage erosions, synovial stromal cell activation and angiogenesis. This was accompanied by decreased infiltration of the synovial tissues by CD4+ lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. Over the 3 days following joint arthropathy induction, the numbers of neutrophils circulating in the blood and plasma concentrations of activin A were significantly reduced in animals administered MPCs. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study have demonstrated the capacity of IV-administered MPCs to mitigate the clinical signs and some of the inflammatory mediators responsible for joint tissue destruction in a large animal model of monoarthritis.
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MESH Headings
- Activins/blood
- Animals
- Antigens, Surface/genetics
- Antigens, Surface/immunology
- Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Arthritis, Experimental/genetics
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Experimental/therapy
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Movement
- Collagen Type II/administration & dosage
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Interleukin-10/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-10/immunology
- Interleukin-17/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-17/immunology
- Joints/immunology
- Joints/pathology
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/pathology
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/immunology
- Monocytes/immunology
- Monocytes/pathology
- Neutrophils/immunology
- Neutrophils/pathology
- Sheep, Domestic
- Synovial Fluid/chemistry
- Synovial Fluid/cytology
- Synovial Fluid/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Abdalmula
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
| | - Laura M. Dooley
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
| | - Claire Kaufman
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Washington
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
| | - Jacqueline V. House
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Barbara A. Blacklaws
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES UK
| | - Peter Ghosh
- Mesoblast Ltd, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Silviu Itescu
- Mesoblast Ltd, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Simon R. Bailey
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
| | - Wayne G. Kimpton
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 5010 Australia
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19
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Palin NK, Savikko J, Pasternack A, Rintala JM, Kalra B, Mistry S, Kumar A, Roth MP, Helin H, Ritvos O. Activin inhibition limits early innate immune response in rat kidney allografts-a pilot study. Transpl Int 2016; 30:96-107. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.12876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Niina K. Palin
- Kidney Transplant Research Group; Transplantation Laboratory; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - Johanna Savikko
- Kidney Transplant Research Group; Transplantation Laboratory; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
- Transplantation and Liver Surgery Unit; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - Arja Pasternack
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and Department of Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
| | - Jukka M. Rintala
- Kidney Transplant Research Group; Transplantation Laboratory; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Heikki Helin
- Department of Pathology; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - Olli Ritvos
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and Department of Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
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Papaporfyriou A, Bakakos P, Kostikas K, Papatheodorou G, Hillas G, Trigidou R, Katafigiotis P, Koulouris NG, Papiris SA, Loukides S. Activin A and follistatin in patients with asthma. Does severity make the difference? Respirology 2016; 22:473-479. [PMID: 27807906 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Activin A is a pleiotropic cytokine holding a fundamental role in inflammation and tissue remodelling. Follistatin can modulate the bioactivity of activin. We aimed to measure activin A and follistatin in sputum supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of asthmatic patients and to determine the possible associations with severity as well as with inflammatory and remodelling indices. METHODS A total of 58 asthmatic patients (33 with severe refractory asthma (SRA)) and 10 healthy controls underwent sputum induction for % cells, activin A, follistatin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), IL-13 and IL-8 measurements. In 22 asthmatic patients, BAL and bronchial biopsies were also performed for the assessment of the above-mentioned variables, measurement of remodelling indices and immunostaining for different activin A receptors. RESULTS Sputum activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA (median (interquartile ranges): 76 (33-185)) compared to mild-to-moderate asthma (44 (18-84); P = 0.005), whereas follistatin did not differ between the two groups. BAL activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA compared to those with mild-to-moderate disease. A significant association was observed between activin A and TGF-β1, eosinophils in sputum and/or in BAL, while reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness was significantly associated with BAL activin levels only. No difference in immunostaining for activin receptor type IB was observed between patients with SRA and those with mild-to-moderate asthma. CONCLUSION Sputum and BAL levels of activin A are higher in SRA. The association of activin A with TGF-β1, eosinophils and RBM thickness may indicate a role of this cytokine in the inflammatory and remodelling process in SRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Papaporfyriou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Rodoula Trigidou
- Pathology Department, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos G Koulouris
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros A Papiris
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Hardy JT, Buhimschi IA, McCarthy ME, Zhao G, Laky CA, Shook LL, Buhimschi CS. Imbalance of Amniotic Fluid Activin-A and Follistatin in Intraamniotic Infection, Inflammation, and Preterm Birth. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016; 101:2785-93. [PMID: 27159193 PMCID: PMC6287504 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-4147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid (AF) cavity stimulates an inflammatory response that involves activin-A, a pleiotropic mediator member of the TGFβ superfamily involved in connective tissue remodeling. The role of AF follistatin, a natural inhibitor of activin-A, in inflammation-induced preterm birth (PTB), has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between AF activin-A and follistatin in physiological gestation and in pregnancies complicated by PTB and to evaluate a possible role played by the activin-A-follistatin balance in processes leading to PTB and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). STUDY DESIGN The AF levels of total activin-A and follistatin were immunoassayed in 168 women with a normal pregnancy outcome or PTB with and without intraamniotic inflammation or PPROM. The impact of the activin-A-follistatin imbalance on PTB terminal effector pathways (prostaglandins [prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α] and matrix metalloproteinases [MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9]) was investigated in an amniochorion explant system challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation. RESULTS AF follistatin and the activin-A to follistatin ratio varied with gestational age, both decreasing toward term (P < .001). Activin-A was up-regulated in AF infection (>2-fold elevation in activin-A to follistatin ratio) correlating directly with severity of inflammation (both P < .001). Activin-A increased prostaglandins, MMP-1, and MMP-9 released by amniochorion (P < .05) to LPS-equivalent levels. Follistatin effectively blunted the prostaglandin response to activin-A and LPS and that of MMPs after activin-A but not after LPS challenge. CONCLUSION Activin-A and follistatin are part of the complex inflammatory response of the gestational sac to infection and modulate effector pathways leading to PTB. The activin-A to follistatin ratio may play a role in determining the clinical phenotype of PTB as preterm labor or PPROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Hardy
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Irina A Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Megan E McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Guomao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Christine A Laky
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Lydia L Shook
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Catalin S Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (J.T.H., M.E.M., C.A.L., L.L.S.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; Center for Perinatal Research (I.A.B., G.Z.), The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics (I.A.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology (I.A.B., C.S.B.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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22
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Hardy CL, Rolland JM, O'Hehir RE. The immunoregulatory and fibrotic roles of activin A in allergic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1510-22. [PMID: 25962695 PMCID: PMC4687413 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily of cytokines, was originally identified as an inducer of follicle stimulating hormone release, but has since been ascribed roles in normal physiological processes, as an immunoregulatory cytokine and as a driver of fibrosis. In the last 10–15 years, it has also become abundantly clear that activin A plays an important role in the regulation of asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling. This review provides a brief introduction to the activin A/TGF-β superfamily, focussing on the regulation of receptors and signalling pathways. We examine the contradictory evidence for generalized pro- vs. anti-inflammatory effects of activin A in inflammation, before appraising its role in asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling specifically by evaluating data from both murine models and clinical studies. We identify key issues to be addressed, paving the way for safe exploitation of modulation of activin A function for treatment of allergic asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hardy
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
| | - J M Rolland
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
| | - R E O'Hehir
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
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Sanchez-Duffhues G, Fotsis T, ten Dijke P. Signal Transduction: Gain of Activin Turns Muscle into Bone. Curr Biol 2016; 25:R1136-8. [PMID: 26654374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent data provide an unexpected twist in our understanding of the pathogenesis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Surprisingly, the causative amino acid mutation of the BMP receptor responds to activin, thereby turning soft tissues into bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Theodore Fotsis
- Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, FORTH & Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, University Campus, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. Currently: Visiting Professor, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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24
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Human eosinophil activin A synthesis and mRNA stabilization are induced by the combination of IL-3 plus TNF. Immunol Cell Biol 2016; 94:701-8. [PMID: 27001469 PMCID: PMC4980187 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2016.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophils contribute to immune regulation and wound healing/fibrosis in various diseases including asthma. Growing appreciation for the role of activin A in such processes led us to hypothesize that eosinophils are a source of this TGF-β superfamily member. TNFα (TNF) induces activin A by other cell types and is often present at the site of allergic inflammation along with the eosinophil activating common β (βc) chain-signaling cytokines (IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF). Previously, we established that the combination of TNF plus a βc chain-signaling cytokine synergistically induces eosinophil synthesis of the remodeling enzyme MMP-9. Therefore, eosinophils were stimulated ex vivo by these cytokines and in vivo through an allergen-induced airway inflammatory response. In contrast to IL-5+TNF or GM-CSF+TNF, the combination of IL-3+TNF synergistically induced activin A synthesis and release by human blood eosinophils. IL-3+TNF enhanced activin A mRNA stability, which required sustained signaling of pathways downstream of p38 and ERK MAP kinases. In vivo, following segmental airway allergen challenge of subjects with mild allergic asthma, activin A mRNA was upregulated in airway eosinophils compared to circulating eosinophils, and ex vivo, circulating eosinophils tended to release activin A in response to IL-3+TNF. These data provide evidence that eosinophils release activin A and that this function is enhanced when eosinophils are present in an allergen-induced inflammatory environment. Moreover, these data provide the first evidence for post-transcriptional control of activin A mRNA. We propose that, an environment rich in IL-3+TNF will lead to eosinophil–derived activin A, which plays an important role in regulating inflammation and/or fibrosis.
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25
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Hardy CL, King SJ, Mifsud NA, Hedger MP, Phillips DJ, Mackay F, de Kretser DM, Wilson JW, Rolland JM, O'Hehir RE. The activin A antagonist follistatin inhibits cystic fibrosis-like lung inflammation and pathology. Immunol Cell Biol 2015; 93:567-74. [PMID: 25753271 PMCID: PMC4495664 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2015.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting genetically acquired respiratory disorder. Patients with CF have thick mucus obstructing the airways leading to recurrent infections, bronchiectasis and neutrophilic airway inflammation culminating in deteriorating lung function. Current management targets airway infection and mucus clearance, but despite recent advances in care, life expectancy is still only 40 years. We investigated whether activin A is elevated in CF lung disease and whether inhibiting activin A with its natural antagonist follistatin retards lung disease progression. We measured serum activin A levels, lung function and nutritional status in CF patients. We studied the effect of activin A on CF lung pathogenesis by treating newborn CF transgenic mice (β-ENaC) intranasally with the natural activin A antagonist follistatin. Activin A levels were elevated in the serum of adult CF patients, and correlated inversely with lung function and body mass index. Follistatin treatment of newborn β-ENaC mice, noted for respiratory pathology mimicking human CF, decreased the airway activin A levels and key features of CF lung disease including mucus hypersecretion, airway neutrophilia and levels of mediators that regulate inflammation and chemotaxis. Follistatin treatment also increased body weight and survival of β-ENaC mice, with no evidence of local or systemic toxicity. Our findings demonstrate that activin A levels are elevated in CF and provide proof-of-concept for the use of the activin A antagonist, follistatin, as a therapeutic in the long-term management of lung disease in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles L Hardy
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susannah J King
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole A Mifsud
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Phillips
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fabienne Mackay
- Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David M de Kretser
- 1] MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - John W Wilson
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Rolland
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robyn E O'Hehir
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [3] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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26
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Linko R, Hedger MP, Pettilä V, Ruokonen E, Ala-Kokko T, Ludlow H, de Kretser DM. Serum activin A and B, and follistatin in critically ill patients with influenza A(H1N1) infection. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:253. [PMID: 24885241 PMCID: PMC4101860 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activin A and its binding protein follistatin (FS) are increased in inflammatory disorders and sepsis. Overexpression of activin A in the lung causes similar histopathological changes as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS and severe respiratory failure are complications of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), which in experimental studies increases after activin A release, is known to be related to the severity of H1N1 infection. Our aim was to evaluate the levels of activin A, activin B, FS, IL-6 and IL-10 and their association with the severity of respiratory failure in critically ill H1N1 patients. Methods A substudy of a prospective, observational cohort of H1N1 patients in Finnish intensive care units (ICU). Clinical information was recorded during ICU treatment, and serum activin A, activin B, FS, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured at admission to ICU and on days 2 and 7. Results Blood samples from 29 patients were analysed. At the time of admission to intensive care unit, elevated serum levels above the normal range for respective age group and sex were observed in 44% for activin A, 57% for activin B, and 39% for FS. In 13 of the 29 patients, serial samples at all time points were available and in these the highest activin A, activin B and FS were above the normal range in 85%, 100% and 46% of the patients, respectively. No difference in baseline or highest activin A or activin B was found in patients with or without acute lung injury (ALI) or ARDS (P > 0.05 for all). Peak levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in ALI/ARDS patients. Peak activin A and activin A/FS were associated with ventilatory support free-days, severity of acute illness and length of ICU stay (P < 0.05 for all). Conclusions Higher than normal values of these proteins were common in patients with H1N1 infection but we found no association with the severity of their respiratory failure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David M de Kretser
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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27
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Activin-A exerts a crucial anti-inflammatory role in neonatal infections. Pediatr Res 2013; 74:675-81. [PMID: 24002335 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2013.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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. CONCLUSION Our findings uncover activin-A as a novel immunomodulatory agent critical for the control of inflammatory responses in septicemic neonates.
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Activin A: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Characterizing and Stopping Joint Pain Early in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Inflammation 2013; 37:170-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10753-013-9727-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Hedger MP, de Kretser DM. The activins and their binding protein, follistatin-Diagnostic and therapeutic targets in inflammatory disease and fibrosis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2013; 24:285-95. [PMID: 23541927 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The activins, as members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, are pleiotrophic regulators of cell development and function, including cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Clinical and animal studies have shown that activin levels increase in both acute and chronic inflammation, and are frequently indicators of disease severity. Moreover, inhibition of activin action can reduce inflammation, damage, fibrosis and morbidity/mortality in various disease models. Consequently, activin A and, more recently, activin B are emerging as important diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Activin antagonists such as follistatin, an endogenous activin-binding protein, offer considerable promise as therapies in conditions as diverse as sepsis, liver fibrosis, acute lung injury, asthma, wound healing and ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Hedger
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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30
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Activin, neutrophils, and inflammation: just coincidence? Semin Immunopathol 2013; 35:481-99. [PMID: 23385857 PMCID: PMC7101603 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-013-0365-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
During the 26 years that have elapsed since its discovery, activin-A, a member of the transforming growth factor β super-family originally discovered from its capacity to stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone production by cultured pituitary gonadotropes, has been established as a key regulator of various fundamental biological processes, such as development, homeostasis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Deregulated expression of activin-A has been observed in several human diseases characterized by an immuno-inflammatory and/or tissue remodeling component in their pathophysiology. Various cell types have been recognized as sources of activin-A, and plentiful, occasionally contradicting, functions have been described mainly by in vitro studies. Not surprisingly, both harmful and protective roles have been postulated for activin-A in the context of several disorders. Recent findings have further expanded the functional repertoire of this molecule demonstrating that its ectopic overexpression in mouse airways can cause pathology that simulates faithfully human acute respiratory distress syndrome, a disorder characterized by strong involvement of neutrophils. This finding when considered together with the recent discovery that neutrophils constitute an important source of activin-A in vivo and earlier observations of upregulated activin-A expression in diseases characterized by strong activation of neutrophils may collectively imply a more intimate link between activin-A expression and neutrophil reactivity. In this review, we provide an outline of the functional repertoire of activin-A and suggest that this growth factor functions as a guardian of homeostasis, a modulator of immunity and an orchestrator of tissue repair activities. In this context, a relationship between activin-A and neutrophils may be anything but coincidental.
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Wu H, Chen Y, Winnall WR, Phillips DJ, Hedger MP. Regulation of activin A release from murine bone marrow-derived neutrophil precursors by tumour necrosis factor-α and insulin. Cytokine 2013; 61:199-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Wu H, Chen Y, Winnall WR, Phillips DJ, Hedger MP. Acute regulation of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in serum and tissues following lipopolysaccharide treatment of adult male mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2012; 303:R665-75. [PMID: 22855279 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00478.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-β family, increases in the circulation within 1 h after administration of bacterial LPS. To clarify the origins of this rapid increase, the distribution of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, and their production following LPS treatment, were assessed in adult male mice. In untreated mice, activin A was detectable in all 23 tissues examined, with highest mRNA expression (as measured by quantitative RT-PCR) was found in the liver, and the largest concentration of activin A protein (by ELISA) was found in the bone marrow. Likewise, follistatin mRNA and protein were present in all tissues, with highest expression in the vas deferens. Activin A and follistatin mRNA did not increase significantly in any tissue within the first hour after LPS, but activin A protein decreased by 35% in the bone marrow and increased 5-fold in the lung. No significant changes were observed in any other tissue. Activin A reached a peak in the circulation 1 h following LPS, and then declined. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein translation, reduced this increase of activin A by more than 50%. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of mRNA transcription, had no effect. Circulating follistatin did not increase until 4 h after LPS and was not affected by either inhibitor. These data indicate that the rapid increase in circulating activin A during LPS-induced inflammation is regulated at the posttranscriptional level, apparently from newly translated and stored protein, and implicate bone marrow-derived cells, and, in particular, neutrophils, as a significant source of this preformed activin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Torricelli M, Voltolini C, Novembri R, Bocchi C, Di Tommaso M, Severi FM, Petraglia F. Activin A and its Regulatory Molecules in Placenta and Fetal Membranes of Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes Associated with Acute Chorioamnionitis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 68:392-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01180.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Torricelli
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
| | - Chiara Voltolini
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
| | - Romina Novembri
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
| | - Caterina Bocchi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Department of Gynecology, Perinatology and Human Reproduction; University of Florence; Florence; Italy
| | - Filiberto M. Severi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine; University of Siena; Siena; Italy
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Rosenberg VA, Buhimschi IA, Dulay AT, Abdel-Razeq SS, Oliver EA, Duzyj CM, Lipkind H, Pettker CM, Buhimschi CS. Modulation of amniotic fluid activin-a and inhibin-a in women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes and infection-induced preterm birth. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 67:122-31. [PMID: 21992678 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Activins and inhibins are important modulators of inflammatory processes. We explored activation of amniotic fluid (AF) activin-A and inhibin-A system in women with intra-amniotic infection and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM). METHOD OF STUDY We analyzed 78 AF samples: '2nd trimester-control' (n=12), '3rd trimester-control' (n=14), preterm labor with intact membranes [positive-AF-cultures (n=13), negative-AF-cultures (n=13)], and PPROM [positive-AF-cultures (n=13), negative-AF-cultures (n=13)]. Activin-A levels were evaluated ex-vivo following incubation of amniochorion and placental villous explants with Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Gram-positive (Pam3Cys) bacterial mimics. Ability of recombinant activin-A and inhibin-A to modulate inflammatory reactions in fetal membranes was explored through explants' IL-8 release. RESULTS Activin-A and inhibin-A were present in human AF and were gestational age-regulated. Activin-A was significantly upregulated by infection. Lower inhibin-A levels were seen in PPROM. LPS elicited release of activin-A from amniochorion, but not from villous explants. Recombinant activin-A stimulated IL-8 release from amniochorion, an effect that was not reversed by inhibin-A. CONCLUSION Human AF activin-A and inhibin-A are involved in biological processes linked to intra-amniotic infection/inflammation-induced preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Rosenberg
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Kariyawasam HH, Semitekolou M, Robinson DS, Xanthou G. Activin-A: a novel critical regulator of allergic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2011; 41:1505-14. [PMID: 21631612 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03784.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine that belongs to the TGF-β superfamily and plays an important role in fundamental biological processes, such as development and tissue repair. Growing evidence proposes a crucial role for activin-A in immune-mediated responses and associated diseases, with both enhancing and suppressive effects depending on the cell type, the cytokine micromilieu and the context of the response. Several recent studies have demonstrated a striking increase in activin-A expression in experimental models of asthma, as well as, in the asthmatic airway in humans. Importantly, a strong immunoregulatory role for activin-A in allergic airway disease, with suppression of T helper (Th) type 2 cell-driven allergic responses and protection against the development of cardinal features of the asthmatic phenotype was revealed by in vivo functional studies. Activin-A-mediated immunosuppression is associated with induction of functional allergen-specific regulatory T cells. In human asthma, although activin-A levels are increased in the airway epithelium and submucosal cells, the expression of its signalling components is markedly decreased, pointing to decreased regulation. Nevertheless, a rapid activation of the activin-A signalling pathway is observed in the airway of individuals with asthma following inhalational allergen challenge, suggestive of an inherent protective mechanism to control disease. In support, in vitro studies using human airway epithelial cells have demonstrated that endogenous activin-A suppresses the release of inflammatory mediators, while it induces epithelial repair. Collectively, compelling evidence suggests that activin-A orchestrates the regulation of key events involved in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. The critical role of activin-A in allergic airway responses places this cytokine as an exciting new therapeutic target for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Kariyawasam
- Department of Allergy and Medical Rhinology, Royal National Throat Nose Ear Hospital, University College, London
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