Activin A, a multifunctional factor of the transforming growth factor-beta （TGF-β） superfamily, is mainly produced by microglia and macrophages, and its anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory activities are both related to macrophage functions. However the direct effect of activin A on the rest macrophages in vivo remains unclear. In the present study, the results showed that activin A not only increased NO and IL-1β release, but also promoted phagocytic abilities of mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo, whereas it did not influence MHC Ⅰ and MHC Ⅱ expression. Moreover, we found that activin A significantly upregulated the expressions of CD14 and CD68, markers of mature macrophages, on the surface of macrophages in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that activin A can induce primary macrophage maturation in vitro and in vivo, but may not trigger the acquired immune response via regulating expression of MHC molecules involved in presentation of antigen.
Yinan WangXueling CuiGuixiang TaiJingyan GeNan LiFangfang ChenFang YuZhonghui Liu
