Interleukin-27 is elevated in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction and mediates inflammation

Abstract

Introduction: Interleukin (IL)-27 is an important cytokine involved in many human inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated its role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD).

Methods: Twenty patients with SIMD and 24healthy donors were prospectively enrolled. Expression of IL-27 was detected in serum from SIMD patients by ELISA. Cardiac dysfunction was induced by administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to C57BL/6 (wild type) or IL-27R^-/- mice. IL-27 mRNA in the myocardium was measured by RT-PCR. Cytokine levels in serum were determined by ELISA.

Results: Expression of IL-27 in the serum was markedly increased in patients with SIMD compared with that in controls. Serum IL-27 levels and cardiac IL-27 mRNA expression were significantly increased after LPS injection compared with control specimens. Compared with wild-type mice, IL-27R^-/- mice had higher expression of brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, IL-6, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β.

Conclusions: IL-27 is an important protective mediator of SIMD.

Keywords: Inflammation; Interleukin-27; Sepsis; Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.