Activin A Stimulates Mouse APCs to Express BAFF via ALK4-Smad3 Pathway.
- Author:
Jae Hee KIM
1
;
Goo Young SEO
;
Pyeung Hyeun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Activin A; BAFF; APCs; ALK4; Smad3; Ig class switch recombination
- MeSH: Activin Receptors; Activins; Animals; Benzamides; Cell Proliferation; Dendritic Cells; Dioxoles; Humans; Macrophages; Mice
- From:Immune Network 2011;11(4):196-202
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) is primarily expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells, and stimulates B cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and Ig production. In the present study, we explored the effect of activin A on BAFF expression by APCs. METHODS: To investigate the effect of activin A on BAFF expression by mouse APCs, we measured the level of BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels using RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Activin A markedly enhanced BAFF expression in mouse macrophages and dendritic cells at both the transcriptional and protein levels. SB431542, an activin receptor-like kinase 4 (ALK4) inhibitor, completely abrogated activin A-induced BAFF transcription. Furthermore, overexpression of DN-Smad3 abolished activin-induced BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that activin A can enhance BAFF expression through ALK4-Smad3 pathway.
