TY - JOUR
T1 - The immunoregulatory and fibrotic roles of activin A in allergic asthma
AU - Hardy, Charles Linton
AU - Rolland, Jennifer May
AU - O'Hehir, Robyn E
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Activin A, a member of the TGF-beta 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-beta 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.
AB - Activin A, a member of the TGF-beta 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-beta 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.
UR - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/doi/10.1111/cea.12561/epdf
U2 - 10.1111/cea.12561
DO - 10.1111/cea.12561
M3 - Article
VL - 45
SP - 1510
EP - 1522
JO - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
JF - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
SN - 0954-7894
IS - 10
ER -