Characterization of Cytokine and iNOS mRNA Expression in situ During the Course of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis in Rats

Ribonuclease protection assay was used to demonstrate mRNA expression of several cytokines as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS), constitutive endothelial NO synthase (cNOS) and perforin in the myocardium during the course of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) appeared in the initial inflammatory phase (day 14), subsided in the maximum inflammatory phase (day 19) and disappeared by the recovery phase (day 25). mRNA of IL-1β, interferon gamma INF-γand tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were detected only in the maximum inflammatory phase and iNOS also appeared for several days at this time. In contrast, IL-10 mRNA was detected after the maximum inflammatory stage and persisted into the recovery phase (days 25–36). Although transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) could be detected in all phases, the expression was markedly enhanced in the maximum inflammatory phase and gradually diminished (around day 36) to basal levels. Perforin mRNA was not detected at any point in the disease. Besides macrophages and CD4+T cells, a number of neutrophils were found in the myocardium, especially at peak inflammatory stage. We suggest that antigen (Ag) primed Ag presenting cells or macrophages interact with T cells (Th1) to produce IL-2 and subsequent IFN-γ, which further activates macrophages in the myocardium. Consequently, TNF-αand iNOS may inflict tissue damage to myocardium. It is also suggested that TGF-β1 and one representative Th2cytokine, IL-10, help inhibit inflammation. These findings suggest that Th1 and Th2 cytokines are produced at different stages of EAM and modulate the inflammation and the course of EAM.