Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Courtney V. Barber; Jennifer H. Yo; Rahana Abdul Rahman; Euan M. Wallace; Kirsten R. Palmer; Sarah A. Marshall

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008

Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Courtney V. Barber, Jennifer H. Yo, Rahana Abdul Rahman, Euan M. Wallace, Kirsten R. Palmer, Sarah A. Marshall

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Monash Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Other › peer-review

Abstract

Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	35-41
Number of pages	7
Journal	Placenta
Volume	136
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008
Publication status	Published - May 2023

Keywords

Activin A
Ectopic pregnancy
Fetal growth restrictio
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Miscarriage
Preeclampsia
Pregnancy

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review",

abstract = "Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.",

keywords = "Activin A, Ectopic pregnancy, Fetal growth restrictio, Gestational diabetes mellitus, Miscarriage, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy",

author = "Barber, {Courtney V.} and Yo, {Jennifer H.} and Rahman, {Rahana Abdul} and Wallace, {Euan M.} and Palmer, {Kirsten R.} and Marshall, {Sarah A.}",

note = "Funding Information: The writing of this review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Authors",

year = "2023",

month = may,

doi = "10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008",

language = "English",

volume = "136",

pages = "35--41",

journal = "Placenta",

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T1 - Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy

T2 - a review

AU - Barber, Courtney V.

AU - Yo, Jennifer H.

AU - Rahman, Rahana Abdul

AU - Wallace, Euan M.

AU - Palmer, Kirsten R.

AU - Marshall, Sarah A.

N1 - Funding Information: The writing of this review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

PY - 2023/5

Y1 - 2023/5

N2 - Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.

AB - Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.

KW - Activin A

KW - Ectopic pregnancy

KW - Fetal growth restrictio

KW - Gestational diabetes mellitus

KW - Miscarriage

KW - Preeclampsia

KW - Pregnancy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151837465&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008

DO - 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008

M3 - Review Article

C2 - 37028223

AN - SCOPUS:85151837465

SN - 0143-4004

VL - 136

SP - 35

EP - 41

JO - Placenta

JF - Placenta

ER -

Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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