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

Abstract

Background: Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily which is directly implicated in airway structural change and inflammation in asthma. In vitro, the biological effects of activin A are 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 during the effector phase of subchronic Th2-driven mucosal inflammation in a murine model of allergic asthma. Methods: Eosinophilic mucosal inflammation was elicited by triggering Th2 recall responses by antigen challenge in ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mice. The ki..