Sustained Nitric Oxide Synthesis Contributes to Immunopathology in Ongoing Myocarditis Attributable to Interleukin-10 Disorders

Ongoing coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) myocarditis is characterized by persistence of viral RNA and chronic inflammation primarily mediated by macrophages and T cells. Activated macrophages produce anti-viral effector molecules comprising reactive nitrogen intermediates; however, reactive nitrogen intermediates also contribute to host tissue damage. Controlled activation of macrophages depends on interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10. To evaluate mechanisms involved in CVB3-induced pathogenesis of myocarditis, we determined the relationship of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression with IFN-γ and IL-10 secretion during CVB3 infection in different mouse strains. We found in susceptible A.BY/SnJ mice that develop ongoing myocarditis, a low and delayed IFN-γ secretion and highly diminished IL-10 production compared with resistant C57BL/6 mice. Consequently, iNOS mRNA synthesis was delayed but clearly prolonged in susceptible mice. IL-10 gene-deficient mice confirmed the regulatory role of IL-10 in the outcome of CVB3 myocarditis. These mice did not establish a persistent cardiac infection and revealed IFN-γ secretion kinetics similar to resistant mice but showed a slightly elongated cardiac iNOS mRNA expression resulting in extended myocarditis. We conclude that coordinated secretion of IFN-γ and IL-10 is crucial for the effective resolution of CVB3 myocarditis. Moreover, lack of regulatory IL-10 leads to uncontrolled iNOS mRNA production, thus contributing to ongoing myocardial injury.