Protective role of interleukin-12 in viral myocarditis.
The co-ordinate action of several cytokines determines the nature, severity and duration of myocarditis. Interleukin (IL)-12 mediates a broad range of effects on both innate and acquired immunity. However, the in vivo role of IL-12 in viral myocarditis remains to be elucidated. To clarify the role of IL-12 in viral myocarditis, we treated mice inoculated with the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), with recombinant IL-12 and neutralizing anti-IL-12 antibody. The successive administration of 10 ng of IL-12 from the day of virus inoculation to 5 days thereafter, reduced mortality, myocardial damage and viral replication in the heart tissue. The gene expression of IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 was enhanced in the hearts of EMCV inoculated mice. Treatment with neutralizing anti-IL-12 resulted in increased mortality of mice inoculated with EMCV. In conclusion, endogenous and exogenous IL-12 play protective roles in murine viral myocarditis.
Shioi
T
T
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606, Japan.
Matsumori
A
A
Nishio
R
R
Ono
K
K
Kakio
T
T
Sasayama
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D018188:Cardiovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004686:Encephalomyocarditis virus; D006321:Heart / Q000821:virology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D015996:Survival Rate
D000906:Antibodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma