Overexpression of Fgl2 deteriorates the heart function of experimenta l autoimmune myocarditis rats

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that fibrinogen-like protein 2 (Fgl2) has been involved in immune and inflammatory responses which might contribute to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases. Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) provided a model that mimics the pathophysiology of human giant cell myocarditis. We observed that the effect of Fgl2 overexpression on the heart function of autoimmune myocarditis rats using echocardiography and detected the level of inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fgl2 overexpression decreased the heart function of EAM model rat, increased the inflammatory cell infiltrations, and increased the level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17 (IL-17). These results indicate that Fgl2 is a potent target for the treatment of EAM. In conclusion, Fgl2 is a potent target to treat inflammatory dysfunctions of the heart.