Changes in the expression of interleukin-10 in myocardial infarction and its relationship with macrophage activation and cell apoptosis

Abstract

Currently, the role of IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory factor in the occurrence and development of heart disease is still unclear. This study aimed to observe the dynamic changes in the expression of IL-10 in serum and myocardial tissues, as well as to investigate the relationship of IL-10 expression with macrophage activation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis during the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Mice models with myocardial infarction were prepared by ligating anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The animals were classified into sham operation group (the control group), as well as groups of myocardial infarction based on days 1, 7, 14 and 28. On days 7 and 14, the cells with positive IL-10 expression were largely distributed in the infarct areas, while cells with positive IL-10 expression were decreased on day 28. Serum IL-10 was significantly positively correlated with IL-10 protein expression in myocardial tissues. Moreover, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in myocardial tissues, as well as the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax proteins were gradually elevated with prolonged time of infarction. There were positive correlations between IL-10 and Arginase expressions, and between the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. After the occurrence of myocardial infarction, the expression of IL-10 was firstly increased and then decreased in serum and myocardial tissues, and this might affect macrophage activation, phenotypic transformation and the occurrence of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.