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Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review

Barber CV 1 , Yo JH 2 , Rahman RA 3 , Wallace EM 4 , Palmer KR 5 , Marshall SA 6

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
Placenta, 2023 May;136:35-41.
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.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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