Follistatin is a candidate endogenous negative regulator of activin A in experimental allergic asthma

Abstract

Abstract Background: Activin A is a member of the TGF-β superfamily implicated in asthmatic inflammation and tissue remodelling. In vitro, activin A bioactivity is neutralized by the soluble binding protein follistatin. Objective: To determine the potential of endogenous follistatin to suppress activin A in vivo by analysing their relative tissue and kinetic compartmentalization in acute and chronic allergic airway inflammation. Methods: Ovalbumin-sensitized mice were subjected to acute or chronic allergen challenge protocols. Kinetics and distribution of activin A and follistatin were measured in lung tissue and BAL in relation to airway..