Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Courtney V Barber; Jennifer H Yo; Rahana Abdul Rahman; Euan M Wallace; Kirsten R Palmer; Sarah A Marshall

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008

Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Placenta. 2023 May:136:35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008. Epub 2023 Apr 3.

Authors

Courtney V Barber¹, Jennifer H Yo², Rahana Abdul Rahman³, Euan M Wallace⁴, Kirsten R Palmer⁵, Sarah A Marshall⁶

Affiliations

¹ The Ritchie Centre & the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
² The Ritchie Centre & the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁴ The Ritchie Centre & the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ The Ritchie Centre & the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: sarah.marshall@monash.edu.

PMID: 37028223
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.008

Abstract

Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.

Keywords: Activin A; Ectopic pregnancy; Fetal growth restrictio; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Miscarriage; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Activins / metabolism
Female
Humans
Inhibins* / metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications* / diagnosis
Pregnancy Complications* / etiology
Reproduction / physiology

Substances

activin A
Inhibins
Activins