Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...

Layers of the Heart Wall

Layers of the Heart Wall

The heart wall comprises three distinct layers: the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. The outermost layer, the epicardium, is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium, featuring a thin, transparent mesothelial surface and an inner layer of areolar connective tissue with fat deposits that increase with age.
The myocardium, the thickest layer, consists of cardiac muscle cells interconnected by intercalated discs and crisscrossing connective tissue fibers. These muscle fibers contract...

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The EV-mitochondrial outsourcing network as a therapeutic target for age-related testosterone deficiency: from network collapse to clinical intervention.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2026

Same author

Diterpenoids from Euphorbia prolifera and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Phytochemistry·2026

Same author

Methacrylated gelatin-based microneedles loaded with Polygonatum kingianum-derived extracellular vesicles for the protection against Ultraviolet B induced photoaging.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2026

Same author

Micro/nanoplastic-induced alterations in cellular fate and full-cycle spermatogenesis: A mechanistic review and perspective on intergenerational risks.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2026

Same author

Oxygenic photogranules in wastewater treatment: Formation mechanisms, engineering optimization and prospects.

Bioresource technology·2026

Same author

Dietary targeting of CNBP to rein in the EREG-EGFR cascade and restore homeostasis in colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

International journal of biological sciences·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses

An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses

Published on: July 7, 2017

Interleukin 18 in the heart.

Meijing Wang¹, Troy A Markel, Daniel R Meldrum

¹Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Shock (Augusta, Ga.)

|June 20, 2008

Summary

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a key inflammatory cytokine implicated in cardiovascular diseases. This review explores IL-18

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Biology
Immunology
Cytokine Signaling

Background:

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), initially known as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) inducing factor, is a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
IL-18 is part of the IL-1 cytokine superfamily and plays a significant role in immune responses, infections, and inflammatory conditions, primarily through IFN-gamma induction.
Emerging research indicates that IL-18 exerts effects independent of IFN-gamma.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current literature on the role of IL-18 in the heart and cardiovascular system.
To elucidate the mechanisms by which IL-18 contributes to myocardial injury.
To briefly discuss therapeutic strategies targeting IL-18 for cardiac protection.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies investigating IL-18 in cardiovascular contexts.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart

Published on: August 23, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses

An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses

Published on: July 7, 2017

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart

Published on: August 23, 2018

Analysis of cellular sources and activation pathways of IL-18 in cardiac tissue.

Examination of molecular mechanisms underlying IL-18-mediated cardiac dysfunction.

Main Results:

Cardiac cells like neutrophils, macrophages, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes can produce IL-18 upon injury.
Pro-IL-18 is activated by caspase 1, and elevated levels are found in cardiac tissue and circulation post-myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and sepsis.
Mechanisms of IL-18-induced myocardial injury include inflammation, apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, MAPK activation modulation, and altered intracellular calcium.

Conclusions:

IL-18 is a significant mediator of cardiac injury through various cellular and molecular pathways.
Elevated IL-18 levels are associated with adverse cardiac events.
Inhibition of IL-18 activity presents a potential therapeutic avenue for protecting cardiac tissue from injury.