Activin A Modulates Inflammation in Acute Pancreatitis and Strongly Predicts Severe Disease Independent of Body Mass Index.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a healthcare challenge with considerable mortality. Treatment is limited to supportive care, highlighting the need to investigate disease drivers and prognostic markers. Activin A is an established mediator of inflammatory responses, and its serum levels correlate with AP severity. We hypothesized that activin A is independent of body mass index (BMI) and is a targetable promoter of the AP inflammatory response.

Methods

We assessed whether BMI and serum activin A levels are independent markers to determine disease severity in a cohort of patients with AP. To evaluate activin A inhibition as a therapeutic, we used a cerulein-induced murine model of AP and treated mice with activin A-specific neutralizing antibody or immunoglobulin G con

SUBMITTER: Thomas AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7263641 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature