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Lymphangiogenesis is increased in heart valve endocarditis
Eetu Niinimäki1, Ari A Mennander2, Timo Paavonen3
1Department of Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Anesthesiology, Southern Carelian Central Hospital, Lappeenranta, Finland.
International Journal of Cardiology
|June 27, 2016
Summary
Inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis (IAL) is significantly increased in heart valves affected by endocarditis compared to controls. These findings suggest heart valve lymphatics may offer new therapeutic targets for endocarditis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis (IAL) is implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
- Limited research exists on lymphatic vessel presence and function in endocarditis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and characteristics of lymphatics in endocarditis.
- To compare lymphatic density and size in endocarditis valves versus control valves.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 52 surgically resected heart valves (18 aortic, 10 mitral with endocarditis; 15 aortic, 9 mitral as controls).
- Immunohistochemistry using podoplanin antibody to detect lymphatics.
- Morphometrical analysis of lymphatic density and size.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher lymphatic density in endocarditis valves (833 vessels/mm²) compared to controls (39 vessels/mm²).
- Mean lymphatic size was also significantly larger in endocarditis valves (153 μm²) versus controls (30 μm²).
Conclusions:
- Endocarditis is associated with increased inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis in heart valves.
- Heart valve lymphatics represent a potential novel therapeutic target for endocarditis.
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