Effects of activin A on IgE synthesis and cytokine production by human peripheral mononuclear cells

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Activin A not only stimulates the synthesis and release of pituitary follicle‐stimulating hormone, but exerts various effects on haematopoietic cells. embryos, and fibroblasts. In the present study we have examined effects of activin A on lgE synthesis and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in normal humans. When PBMC were cultured in the presence of lL ‐4, activin A significantiy augmented IgE production induced by IL‐4. Activin A did not affect, however, IgE production from highly purified B cells when they were stimulated with anti‐CD40 MoAb and IL‐4. The fact that in the latter condition IgE synthesis was T cells‐ and monocyte‐indcpcndent indicated that activin A does not directly influence B cells for IgE synthesis. Rather, production as well as gene expression of IL‐6, which is known to enhance IgE synthesis by purified monoeytes, was induced by activin A alone. In addition, activin A induced other monokines such as IL‐l and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α from monocytes. In contrast, activin A neither induced nor augmented the production of TNF‐β or interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), both of which are known to be exclusively generated by T cells. These data indicate that activin A plays a certain role in physiological functions for monocytes in normal humans.

This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit: