Association between myocardial ADAMTS-1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in a murine model of viral myocarditis
Shen, E.; Chen, R-zhen.; Yang, Y-zhen.; Guo, Q.; Yu, Y.; Zou, Y-zeng.; Chen, H-zhu.
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi 35(9): 854-858
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3758 PMID: 18070483 Document Number: 608552
Objective To investigate the association between myocardial ADAMTS-1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in coxsackievirus B-3 (CVB3)-induced acute and chronic murine myocarditis model. Methods Balb/c mice were infected with CVB3 (single injection or monthly injection for 3 months) to establish acute or chronic myocarditis. model. Normal controls received equal-volume Eagles minimal essential medium (EMEM) without CVB,. Hearts were examined at 7 days or 3 months post CVB3 infection. Heart slides were stained with collagen specific picrosirius red staining and the collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated with image analysis software. The expressions of ADAMTS-1 were determined by RTPCR and immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with controls, the CVF levels and myocardial expressions of ADAMTS-1 were significant increased in two myocarditis groups, especially in mice with chronic myocarditis (P < 0.01). The increased expression of ADAMTS-1 was located in endochylema as visualized by immunohistochemistry. Myocardial ADAMTS-1 mRNA was positively correlated with CVF in both myocarditis groups (r(7days) = 0.65, P < 0.05; r(3months) = 0.73, P < 0.01). Conclusions ADAMTS-1 increased in proportion with collagen accumulation in acute and chronic myocarditis, which might play an important role in the development of myocardial fibrosis by modulating the collagen metabolism.