Mechanisms underlying Myocarditis

Myocarditis or its sequela, dilated cardiomyopathy, are important causes of heart failure. We have developed two experimental models in mice. Disease is induced in genetically susceptible mice by infection with cardiotropic Coxsackievirus B3, or by immunization with cardiac myosin. Two Th2 cytokines had opposite effects: IL-4 enhances disease whereas IL-13 reduces it. Th1 cytokines also exhibited opposing effects: IL-12 is pathogenic whereas IFNγ down-regulates disease.

Section editors:Terry Delovitch – The John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, CanadaDavid Scott – University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA