The neuropeptide cortistatin attenuates experimental autoimmune myocarditis via inhibition of cardiomyogenic T cell-driven inflammatory responses.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Myocarditis is an inflammatory and autoimmune cardiovascular disease that causes dilated myocardiopathy and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cortistatin is a neuropeptide produced by neurons and cells of the immune and vascular systems. Besides its action in locomotor activity and sleep, cortistatin inhibits inflammation in different experimental models of autoimmune diseases. However, its role in inflammatory cardiovascular disorders is unexplored. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of cortistatin in a well-established preclinical model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM).

Experimental approach

We induced EAM by immunization with a fragment of cardiac myosin in susceptible Balb/c mice. Cortistatin was admi

SUBMITTER: Delgado-Maroto V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5241387 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature