Abstract.
The aim of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines in the peri-sinoatrial nodal area after atrial infarction. Rats were subjected to permanent atrial infarction, in particular, sinoatrial node (SAN) infarction and sacrificed at various time points up to 7 days. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were upregulated in the peri-sinoatrial nodal area after atrial infarction. Immunostaining for TNF-α and TGF-β1 proteins revealed that both cytokines were expressed persistently up to 7 days after atrial infarction around the peri-sinoatrial nodal area. Furthermore, the infiltrating inflammatory cells immunoreactive for both cytokines were predominant within the infarct SAN. In situ hybridization analysis showed that TNF-α gene expression was enhanced in the inflammatory cells and myocardium within the peri-sinoatrial nodal area in response to the infarction. These results provide evidence for the local expression of cytokines in the post-ischemic peri-sinoatrial nodal area, suggesting that the upregulation of the cytokines might be associated with the atrial arrhythmia observed after acute myocardial infarction.
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Dai, .R., Dheen, T.S. & Tay, .S. Induction of cytokine expression in rat post-ischemic sinoatrial node (SAN). Cell Tissue Res 310, 59–66 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-002-0596-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-002-0596-x