Characterization of serum activin-A and follistatin and their relation to virological and histological determinants in chronic viral hepatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/METHODS:

Hepatocyte proliferation in viral hepatitis is regulated by a number of growth factors. Activin-A inhibits hepatocyte DNA synthesis while follistatin, a potent activin-A antagonist, promotes liver regeneration. We report the first study of activin-A and follistatin in human viral hepatitis. Sera from 15 normal subjects, 22 hepatitis B and 47 hepatitis C patients were analysed for activin-A and follistatin and correlated with serological and histological markers of liver injury and with specific immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

All groups showed immunoreactivity for activin with hepatocyte localisation. Serum activin-A was significantly increased in viral hepatitis patients compared to controls, was greater in hepatitis B compared to hepatitis C, and correlated with serum aminotransferase and hepatitis B viral replication. A concurrent rise in serum follistatin was not observed in either group, but serum follistatin correlated inversely with hepatitis B DNA levels. Although hepatocyte apoptosis in hepatitis C and proliferation in both groups was significantly elevated compared to controls, there was no correlation with serum activin-A or follistatin.

CONCLUSIONS:

Activin-A and follistatin are constitutively expressed in human liver and serum concentrations are increased in viral hepatitis. Dysregulation of the activin/follistatin axis may be linked to hepatitis B replication but does not correlate with hepatocyte apoptosis.

• Authors: S Patella, D J Phillips, D M de Kretser, L W Evans, N P Groome, W Sievert
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 34 Issue 4 Pg. 576-83 (Apr 2001) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11394658 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Follistatin
• Glycoproteins
• Activins
• Inhibins

Topics

• Activins
• Adult
• Apoptosis
• Female
• Follistatin
• Glycoproteins (blood, metabolism)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (blood, pathology, physiopathology)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (blood, pathology, physiopathology)
• Hepatocytes (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Inhibins (blood, metabolism)
• Male
• Osmolar Concentration