Sex differences in a murine model of infective endocarditis.

ABSTRACT: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a highly lethal disease with a notable male predominance, yet the biological basis for this sex disparity remains unclear. We established a murine IE model in C57BL6 mice in which aortic valve injury was induced via wire-injury and followed by intravenous injection of Staphylococcus aureus. Infection was confirmed by blood and valve cultures, and cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Systemic cytokine levels were measured, and immune cell infiltration in valve tissue was assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. In the murine model, IE was induced in 77/85 animals. Male mice exhibited significantly higher bacterial loads in blood and valves, greater valve cusp enlargement, increased ventricular volumes, and more frequent aortic regurgit

SUBMITTER: Bartsch B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12518371 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature