The expression and significance of proto-oncogene c-fos in viral myocarditis.
BACKGROUND
c-fos may play a role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. The expression and function of c-fos in viral myocarditis (VMC) have not yet been reported. To study the change and significance of proto-oncogene c-fos in VMC is the objective of this experiment.


METHODS
An animal model of VMC was established via coxsackie virus B3 inoculation. VMC mice were then treated with a c-fos monoclonal antibody and isoproterenol and the protein and mRNA expression of c-fos were studied via immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization. Results were simultaneously analyzed for the significance of c-fos expression in mice with VMC.


RESULTS
Myocardial necrosis and cell infiltration decreased after treatment with c-fos monoclonal antibody compared to control mice, while myocardial necrosis and cell infiltration were increased after treatment with isoproterenol. Positive cardiomyocytes with c-Fos expression increased at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 15 days after virus inoculation in VMC mice compared to control mice, while returning to almost normal levels at 35 days. The expression level of c-fos mRNA at 3 and 7 days after virus inoculation in VMC mice was also higher than that of control mice.


CONCLUSIONS
c-fos expression in the cardiomyocytes of VMC mice is significantly increased, c-fos plays an important role in myocardial lesions. The apparent increase in expression of c-fos is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of VMC.
Zhang
Song
S
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Eastern District of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai, 200127, China.
He
Ben
B
Goldstein
Steven
S
Ge
Junbo
J
Wang
Zuyue
Z
Ruiz
George
G
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos