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Detection of interleukin and interleukin-receptor mRNA in human heart by polymerase chain reaction
R O Han1, P E Ray, K L Baughman
1Peter Belfer Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Heart Failure, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Abstract:
Diminished cardiac contractility associated with inflammatory infiltration may be mediated by the release of interleukins. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the presence of interleukin and interleukin-receptor mRNAs in non-failing human heart and in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or inflammatory myocarditis. Only those interleukins expressed by non-circulating cells (interleukin-1 beta, -4, and -8) were detected in samples of human heart while interleukins specific for activated leukocytes (interleukins-1 alpha and -2) were not detected in any samples. While interleukin-1-receptor mRNA was present in samples from non-failing hearts and those with idiopathic myopathy, it was absent from patients with inflammatory myocarditis, suggesting receptor mRNA down-regulation.
Insights
Interleukin (IL) expression in the heart may influence cardiac contractility. Researchers found specific IL mRNAs in heart samples, but interleukin-1 receptor mRNA was absent in inflammatory myocarditis, suggesting down-regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Inflammatory infiltration in the heart can reduce cardiac contractility.
- Interleukins (ILs) are signaling proteins that may mediate this inflammatory response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of interleukin and interleukin-receptor mRNAs in human heart conditions.
- To determine if interleukins contribute to diminished cardiac contractility in inflammatory heart diseases.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of endomyocardial biopsies from non-failing hearts, dilated cardiomyopathy, and inflammatory myocarditis.
- Detection of interleukin and interleukin-receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) using molecular techniques.
Main Results:
- Interleukins-1 beta, -4, and -8 mRNAs were detected in human heart samples.
- Interleukins-1 alpha and -2 mRNAs, typically found on activated leukocytes, were not detected.
- Interleukin-1 receptor mRNA was present in non-failing hearts and idiopathic myopathy but absent in inflammatory myocarditis.
Conclusions:
- Specific interleukins are expressed in the human heart, independent of circulating leukocytes.
- The absence of interleukin-1 receptor mRNA in inflammatory myocarditis suggests its down-regulation plays a role in the disease process.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which interleukins affect cardiac function.