Effects of interleukin-37 on cardiac function after myocardial infarction in mice

Background: Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a new discovered member of the interleukin family and plays anti-inflammatory effect in some inflammatory disease. A recent study found that IL-37 elevated significantly in peripheral blood of patients with acute myocardial infarction. We aimed to explore the effect IL-37 on cardiac function after mice myocardial infarction (MI) and its mechanism. Methods: Acute MI mouse model was established and divided into three groups: sham group, MI group and IL-37 treatment group. MPO expression was detected by immunohistochemistry; NF-kappa B signaling pathway was tested by Western blot; and cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. Results: Compared with MI mice, IL-37 treatment showed an obvious decrease of MPO expression, suppression of p-p65 expression, and improved cardiac function by decreasing left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS). Conclusion: IL-37 may improve MI mice cardiac function via inhibition of inflammatory NF-kappa B signaling pathway.