Activin-A receptor and protein gene expression by DCs. MoDCs were cultured in either GM-CSF + IL-4 or with CD40L (2 μg/mL) or LPS (100 ng/mL) for 2 to 24 hours before being harvested. DCs were then lysed and mRNA extracted and quantitative RT-PCR performed for detection of activin type I and II receptors (A-C), activin βA subunit (D), BMP 4 or 7 (E), myostatin (F), or β-actin. Data represent the mean plus or minus 1 SD of 3 separate donors. *P ≤ .01, **P ≤ .05 versus medium alone; CD123⁺ plasmacytoid (G) or CD1c⁺ blood DCs (H) were lysed immediately after purification or cultured in medium or stimulated with CD40L and RT-PCR performed for detection of activin type I and II receptors, activin βA subunit, or β-actin. Data shown are one representative experiment from 3 separate donors.