Inflammatory cells and myocardial fibrosis: spatial and temporal distribution in renovascular hypertensive rats

The fibroblasts producing collagen are co-localized with inflammatory cells in myocardial fibrosis areas of spontaneously hypertensive rats, suggesting that collagen overproduction in this model may be modulated by inflammatory cells. The present study extends these observations to the Goldblatt model of hypertension in which the renin-angiotensin system is activated.

Inflammatory cells were identified with monoclonal antibodies directed against macrophages (ED1+), T helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+), and MHC class II-expressing cells (Ia+). The alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) immuno-staining technique was used. A new computer-assisted morphometric method was utilized to quantify the inflammatory infiltrate in each cardiac compartment with polarized-light microscopy. Cells responsible for the collagen synthesis were identified by in situ hybridization. The collagen content was estimated by morphometry on left ventricle sections stained with Sirius red, and by biochemical quantification of the hydroxyproline concentration.

Computer-assisted morphometry under polarized light was well suited to quantify inflammatory cells labeled by the APAAP technique. Inflammatory cells were co-localized with collagen-synthesizing fibroblasts. The main inflammatory cells were CD4+ lymphocytes > Ia+ > ED1+ > CD8+ cells. These cell densities were increased in hypertensive rats in all cardiac areas compared to control rats except for IA+ cells which were concentrated in microscars. Macrophage density was correlated with plasma renin activity. The inflammatory cell density which best correlated with fibrosis was macrophage density, and which best correlated with systolic blood pressure was macrophage and T helper lymphocyte densities.

One can speculate that the correlation between macrophage density and blood pressure as well as with plasma renin activity may indicate that angiotensins and/or elevation of blood pressure could participate in the initial signalling which may mobilize inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells could promote fibrosis by releasing mediators such as growth factors or cytokines which act upon fibroblasts.