Follistatin-like protein-1 is a novel proinflammatory molecule.

Abstract

While analyzing gene expression in collagen-induced arthritis, we discovered that a poorly characterized gene, follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1), is highly overexpressed in mouse paws during early arthritis, especially at the interface of synovial pannus and eroding bone. In this study, we show that FSTL-1 is a novel proinflammatory molecule with a previously unrecognized role in inflammation. Transfection of FSTL-1 into macrophages and fibroblasts leads to up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. Overexpression of FSTL-1 in mouse paws by gene transfer results in severe paw swelling and arthritis.

• Authors: Takako Miyamae, Anthony D Marinov, Dawn Sowders, David C Wilson, Jason Devlin, Robert Boudreau, Paul Robbins, Raphael Hirsch
• Journal: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (J Immunol) Vol. 177 Issue 7 Pg. 4758-62 (Oct 01 2006) ISSN: 0022-1767 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16982916 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Follistatin-Related Proteins
• FSTL1 protein, human

Topics

• Animals
• Arthritis, Experimental (metabolism)
• COS Cells
• Chlorocebus aethiops
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Fibroblasts (immunology, metabolism)
• Follistatin-Related Proteins (immunology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Inflammation (metabolism)
• Macrophages (immunology, metabolism)
• Mice
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Transfection