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Background: Activin-A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is a widely expressed protein that can induce or inhibit inflammation, depending on cellular type and the stage of the host9s immune response. Activin-A also plays a key role in airway remodelling and its production is increased in several acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

Aim: To measure Activin-A levels at serum and sputum samples of COPD patients with exacerbations, in order to indentify its role as pro- or anti-inflammatory biomarker.

Methods: Serum blood and sputum specimens from 12 COPD current smokers [Age: 69.3±9.7 years; pack-years: 83±46; FEV₁ (%pred.): 50.2±29.7 and FEV₁/FVC (%pred.): 54.2±12.0] were collected at three different time points for each patient: the first day of hospitalization (t₁), the day of discharge from the hospital (t₂) and one month after hospitalization (t₃). Activin-A levels were measured using an ELISA assay …