title: Anti-CCL21 antibody attenuates infarct size and improves cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over-activation of cellular inflammatory effectors adversely affects myocardial function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The CC-chemokine CCL21 is, via its receptor CCR7, one of the key regulators of inflammation and immune cell recruitment, participates in various inflammatory disorders, including cardiovascular ones. This study explored the therapeutic effect of an anti-CCL21 antibody in cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An animal model of AMI generated by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in C57BL/6 mice resulted in higher levels of circulating CCL21 and cardiac CCR7. Neutralization of CCL21 by intravenous injection of anti-CCL21 monoclonal antibody reduced infarct size after AMI, decreased serum levels of neutrophil and monocyte chemo attractants post AMI, diminished neutrophil and macrophage recruitment in infarcted myocardium, and suppressed MMP-9 and total collagen content in myocardium. Anti-CCL21 treatment also limited cardiac enlargement and improved left ventricular function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study indicated that CCL21 was involved in cardiac remodeling post infarction and anti-CCL21 strategies might be useful in the treatment of AMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency Center, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jianwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Lunxian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D054421:Chemokine CCL21 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D054421:Chemokine CCL21; D003094:Collagen; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C501830:Mmp9 protein, mouse