Evaluation of the potential roles of activin-A, activin-B, and follistatin molecules exhibiting immunomodulatory properties in brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria called Brucella. The mechanisms underlying the changes seen in the course of brucellosis are not adequately elucidated. It was aimed to reveal the potential roles of activin‐A, activin‐B, and follistatin molecules in sera taken from patients with acute and chronic brucellosis, healthy controls, and recovered individuals to overcome these deficiencies. Activins are members of the transforming growth factor‐1 (TGF‐β1) superfamily. Activin‐A has been shown to play a role in both pro‐ inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory processes. Follistatin is a protein that inhibits or neutralizes the functions of activins, and in this way, it can regulate the inflammatory process.