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Updated: Oct 14, 2025

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
The Activin/FLRG Pathway Associates with Poor COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients
Megan McAleavy1, Qian Zhang1, Peter J Ehmann1
1Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA.
Elevated activin A levels in hospitalized COVID-19 patients correlate with severe disease and mortality. Blocking activin A signaling in a hamster model did not worsen SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Severe COVID-19 involves acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storms.
- Cytokines activating the NF-κB pathway can induce activin A.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between activin A, B, FLRG levels and COVID-19 severity.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of blocking activin A signaling in a SARS-CoV-2 hamster model.
Main Methods:
- Measured serum levels of activin A, B, and FLRG in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Utilized a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection to assess the impact of anti-activin A antibody treatment.
Main Results:
- Higher levels of activin A, B, and FLRG were linked to increased severity, mechanical ventilation need, and mortality.
- Anti-activin A antibody treatment in hamsters did not exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 disease, viral load, or lung pathology.
Conclusions:
- Activin signaling blockade may be a safe and potentially beneficial therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 patients with ARDS.
- Further research into activin pathway modulation for ARDS treatment is warranted.
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