Follistatin like protein-1 modulates macrophage polarization and aggravates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis

Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in multiple processes including organ development, carcinogenesis, metastasis and so on. Some recent studies have suggested a possible role of FSTL1 in the inflammatory diseases. We for the first time tried to unravel its effect on the colitis, and explore the possible mechanisms. Here we found that FSTL1 was upregulated in active human and murine colitis. It facilitated proinflammatory M1 polarization of macrophages and inhibited the M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, leading to excessive production of multiple inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. Haplodeletion of FSTL1 in mice significantly reduced the clinical and histological activity of colitis. Most importantly, macrophage depletion diminished the difference between DSS-treated WT and FSTL1+/− mice. Altogether, our results suggested that FSTL1 may also serve as an important contributor in the colonic inflammation. The possible mechanism may be related to its modulation on macrophage polarization.