Major Group-B Enterovirus populations deleted in the noncoding 5' region of genomic RNA modulate activation of the type I interferon pathway in cardiomyocytes and induce myocarditis.

Major 5'-terminally deleted (5'TD) RNA forms of group-B coxsackievirus (CVB-5'TD) has been associated with myocarditis in both mice and humans. Although it is known that interferon-ß (IFN-ß) signaling is critical for an efficient innate immune response against CVB-induced myocarditis, the link between CVB-5'TD RNA forms and type I IFN signaling in cardiomyocytes remains to be explored. In a mouse model of CVB3/28-induced myocarditis, major early-emerging forms of CVB-5'TD RNA have been characterized as replicative viral populations that impair IFN-ß production in the heart. Synthetic CVB3/28 RNA forms mimicking each of these major 5'TD virus populations were transfected in mice and have been shown to modulate innate immune responses in the heart and to induce myocarditis in mice. Remarkably, transfection of synthetic viral RNA with deletions in the secondary structures of the 5'-terminal CVB3 RNA domain I, modifying stem-loops "b", "c" or "d", were found to impair IFN-ß production in human cardiomyocytes. In addition, the activation of innate immune response by Poly(I:C), was found to restore IFN-ß production and to reduce the burden of CVB-5'TD RNA-forms in cardiac tissues, thereby reducing the mortality rate of infected mice. Overall, our results indicate that major early-emerging CVB3 populations deleted in the domain I of genomic RNA, in the 5' noncoding region, modulate the activation of the type I IFN pathway in cardiomyocytes and induce myocarditis in mice. These findings shed new light on the role of replicative CVB-5'TD RNA forms as key pathophysiological factors in CVB-induced human myocarditis.

Acetylation of FOXO1 activates Bim expression involved in CVB3 induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is the major reason for sudden cardiac death among both children and young adults. Of these, coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the most common causative agent of myocarditis. Recently, the role of signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of VMC has been evaluated in several studies, which has provided a new perspective on identifying potential therapeutic targets for this hitherto incurable disease. In the present study, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that CVB3 infection leads to increased Bim expression and triggers apoptosis. In addition, by knocking down Bim using RNAi, we further confirmed the biological function of Bim in apoptosis induced by CVB3 infection. We additionally found that Bim and forkhead box O1 class (FOXO1) inhibition significantly increased the viability of CVB3-infected cells while blocking viral replication and viral release. Moreover, CVB3-induced Bim expression was directly dependent on FOXO1 acetylation, which is catalyzed by the co-regulation of CBP and SirTs. Furthermore, the acetylation of FOXO1 was an important step in Bim activation and apoptosis induced by CVB3 infection. The findings of this study suggest that CVB3 infection induces apoptosis through the FOXO1 acetylation-Bim pathway, thus providing new insights for developing potential therapeutic targets for enteroviral myocarditis.

Pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular damage in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a new infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Since the outbreak in December 2019, it has caused an unprecedented world pandemic, leading to a global human health crisis. Although SARS CoV-2 mainly affects the lungs, causing interstitial pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, a number of patients often have extensive clinical manifestations, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular damage and renal dysfunction. PURPOSE: This review article discusses the pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular damage in COVID-19 patients and provides some useful suggestions for future clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention. METHODS: An English-language literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to 12th April, 2024 for the terms "COVID-19", "SARS CoV-2", "cardiovascular damage", "myocardial injury", "myocarditis", "hypertension", "arrhythmia", "heart failure" and "coronary heart disease", especially update articles in 2023 and 2024. Salient medical literatures regarding the cardiovascular damage of COVID-19 were selected, extracted and synthesized. RESULTS: The most common cardiovascular damage was myocarditis and pericarditis, hypertension, arrhythmia, myocardial injury and heart failure, coronary heart disease, stress cardiomyopathy, ischemic stroke, blood coagulation abnormalities, and dyslipidemia. Two important pathogenic mechanisms of the cardiovascular damage may be direct viral cytotoxicity as well as indirect hyperimmune responses of the body to SARS CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular damage in COVID-19 patients is common and portends a worse prognosis. Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular damage related to COVID-19 are not completely clear, two important pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular damage may be the direct damage of the SARSCoV-2 infection and the indirect hyperimmune responses.

Coronavirus disease 2019-related myocarditis genes contribute to ECMO prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial injury, cytokine storms, hypoxemia and pathogen-mediated damage were the major causes responsible for mortality induced by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related myocarditis. These need ECMO treatment. We investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with COVID-19-related myocarditis and ECMO prognosis. METHODS: GSE150392 and GSE93101 were analyzed to identify DEGs. A Venn diagram was used to obtain the same transcripts between myocarditis-related and ECMO-related DEGs. Enrichment pathway analysis was performed and hub genes were identified. Pivotal miRNAs, transcription factors, and chemicals with the screened gene interactions were identified. The GSE167028 dataset and single-cell sequencing data were used to validate the screened genes. RESULTS: Using a Venn diagram, 229 overlapping DEGs were identified between myocarditis-related and ECMO-related DEGs, which were mainly involved in T cell activation, contractile actin filament bundle, actomyosin, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. 15 hub genes and 15 neighboring DEGs were screened, which were mainly involved in the positive regulation of T cell activation, integrin complex, integrin binding, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the TNF signaling pathway. Data in GSE167028 and single-cell sequencing data were used to validate the screened genes, and this demonstrated that the screened genes CCL2, APOE, ITGB8, LAMC2, COL6A3 and TNC were mainly expressed in fibroblast cells; IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, LAMA4, CAV1, SNCA, BDNF, ACTA2, CD70, MYL9, DPP4, ENO2 and VEGFC were expressed in cardiomyocytes; IL6, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, APOE, JUN, SNCA, CD83, DPP4 and ENO2 were expressed in macrophages; and IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB5, IL15, VCAM1, LAMA4, CAV1, ACTA2, MYL9, CD83, DPP4, ENO2, VEGFC and IL32 were expressed in vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: The screened hub genes, IL6, ITGA1, PTK2, ITGB3, ITGB5, CCL2, IL15, VCAM1, GZMB, APOE, ITGB8, LAMA4, LAMC2, COL6A3 and TNFRSF9, were validated using GEO dataset and single-cell sequencing data, which may be therapeutic targets patients with myocarditis to prevent MI progression and adverse cardiovascular events.

Viral myocarditis in combination with genetic cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden death. An autopsy series.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health issue worldwide. In the young (< 40 years of age), genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, sometimes in combination, are the most frequent, but underestimated, causes of SCD. Molecular autopsy is essential for prevention. Several studies have shown an association between genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, which is probably underestimated due to insufficient post-mortem investigations. We report on four autopsy cases illustrating the pathogenesis of these combined pathologies. In two cases, a genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in combination with Herpes Virus Type 6 (HHV6) and/or Parvovirus-B19 (PVB19) in the heart. In the third case, autopsy revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and virological analyses revealed acute myocarditis caused by three viruses: PVB19, HHV6 and Epstein-Barr virus. Genetic analyses revealed a mutation in the gene coding for desmin. The fourth case illustrated a channelopathy and a PVB19/HHV6 coinfection. Our four cases illustrate the highly probable deleterious role of cardiotropic viruses in the occurrence of SCD in subjects with genetic cardiomyopathies. We discuss the pathogenetic link between viral myocarditis and genetic cardiomyopathy. Molecular autopsy is essential in prevention of these SCD, and a close collaboration between cardiologists, pathologists, microbiologists and geneticians is mandatory.

Viral Myocarditis as a Factor Leading to the Development of Heart Failure Symptoms, Including the Role of Parvovirus B19 Infection-Systematic Review.

Myocarditis (MC) is defined as an immunological inflammatory reaction with various etiologies, clinical presentations and prognoses within the myocardium. Currently, parvovirus B19 (PVB19) has become the main factor leading to this disease, replacing the previously dominant viruses A and B. In the case of chronic heart failure with subsequent dilated cardiomyopathy, approximately 67% have a viral etiology, and most of them are the result of PVB19 infection. However, the analysis showed a correlation between PVB19 infection and the risk of developing inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi). PVB19 is detected in 23% of patients with DCMi. Chronic infection may also contribute to progressive left ventricular failure in patients with a history of MC. The above effect suggests the active replication of PVB19 only in heart biopsies with inflammation due to MC or DCMi. Moreover, the supply of IFN-ß to suppress the active transcription of PVB19 accompanied by DCMi over a period of 6 months results in the normalization of NT-proBNP and an improvement in LVEF along with NYHA performance. The small number of reports on this topic and inaccuracies resulting from constantly conducted research and ongoing changes make it impossible to clearly answer the question of whether PVB19 is a factor inducing de novo MC and DCM or only accompanies the above conditions. However, large clinical cohort studies lead to the perception of PVB19 as a viral etiological agent capable of causing de novo MC together with DCMi.

Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Transcripts Correlate with the Degree of Myocardial Inflammation in Heart Failure Patients.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is frequently found in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) from patients with heart failure, but the detection of EBV-specific DNA has not been associated with progressive hemodynamic deterioration. In this paper, we investigate the use of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect EBV transcripts and their correlation with myocardial inflammation in EBV-positive patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Forty-four HFrEF patients with positive EBV DNA detection and varying degrees of myocardial inflammation were selected. EBV-specific transcripts from EMBs were enriched using a custom hybridization capture-based workflow and, subsequently, sequenced by NGS. The short-read sequencing revealed the presence of EBV-specific transcripts in 17 patients, of which 11 had only latent EBV genes and 6 presented with lytic transcription. The immunohistochemical staining for CD3+ T lymphocytes showed a significant increase in the degree of myocardial inflammation in the presence of EBV lytic transcripts, suggesting a possible influence on the clinical course. These results imply the important role of EBV lytic transcripts in the pathogenesis of inflammatory heart disease and emphasize the applicability of targeted NGS in EMB diagnostics as a basis for specific treatment.

The influence of endurance exercise training on myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmogenesis in a coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis mouse model.

Nonischaemic myocardial fibrosis is associated with cardiac dysfunction, malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In the absence of a specific aetiology, its finding as late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is often attributed to preceding viral myocarditis. Athletes presenting with ventricular arrhythmias often have nonischaemic LGE. Previous studies have demonstrated an adverse effect of exercise on the course of acute viral myocarditis. In this study, we have investigated, for the first time, the impact of endurance training on longer-term outcomes such as myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmogenicity in a murine coxsackievirus B3 (CVB)-induced myocarditis model. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 72) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of forced treadmill running (EEX) or no exercise (SED). Myocarditis was induced 2 weeks later by a single intraperitoneal injection with CVB, versus vehicle in the controls (PBS). In a separate study, mice (n = 30) were subjected to pretraining for 13 weeks (preEEX), without continuation of exercise during myocarditis. Overall, continuation of exercise resulted in a milder clinical course of viral disease, with less weight loss and better preserved running capacity. CVB-EEX and preEEX-CVB mice tended to have a lower mortality rate. At sacrifice (i.e. 6 weeks after inoculation), the majority of virus was cleared from the heart. Histological assessment demonstrated prominent myocardial inflammatory infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss in both CVB groups. Inflammatory lesions in the CVB-EEX group contained higher numbers of pro-inflammatory cells (iNOS-reactive macrophages and CD8+ T lymphocytes) compared to these in CVB-SED. Treadmill running during myocarditis increased interstitial fibrosis [82.4% (CVB-EEX) vs. 56.3% (CVB-SED); P = 0.049]. Additionally, perivascular and/or interstitial fibrosis with extensive distribution was more likely to occur with exercise [64.7% and 64.7% (CVB-EEX) vs. 50% and 31.3% (CVB-SED); P = 0.048]. There was a numerical, but not significant, increase in the number of scars per cross-section (1.9 vs. 1.2; P = 0.195), with similar scar distribution and histological appearance in CVB-EEX and CVB-SED. In vivo electrophysiology studies did not induce sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, only nonsustained (usually polymorphic) runs. Their cumulative beat count and duration paralleled the increased fibrosis between CVB-EEX and CVB-SED, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.084 for each). Interestingly, in mice that were subjected to pretraining only without continuation of exercise during myocarditis, no differences between pretrained and sedentary mice were observed at sacrifice (i.e. 6 weeks after inoculation and training cessation) with regard to myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and ventricular arrhythmogenicity. In conclusion, endurance exercise during viral myocarditis modulates the inflammatory process with more pro-inflammatory cells and enhances perivascular and interstitial fibrosis development. The impact on ventricular arrhythmogenesis requires further exploration.

The complex interplay between encephalomyocarditis virus and the host defence system.

A variety of animals can be infected by encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). EMCV is the established causative agent of myocarditis and encephalitis in some animals. EMCV causes high fatality in suckling and weaning piglets, making pigs the most susceptible domestic animal species. Importantly, EMCV has zoonotic potential to infect the human population. The ability of the pathogen to avoid and undermine the initial defence mechanism of the host contributes to its virulence and pathogenicity. A large body of literature highlights the intricate strategies employed by EMCV to escape the innate immune machinery to suit its "pathogenic needs." Here, we also provide examples on how EMCV interacts with certain host proteins to dampen the infection process. Hence, this concise review aims to summarize these findings in a compendium of decades of research on this exciting yet underappreciated topic.

The natural history of CVB3 myocarditis in C57BL/6J mice: an extended in-depth characterization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Viral infections are the leading cause of myocarditis. Besides acute cardiac complications, late-stage sequelae such as myocardial fibrosis may develop, importantly impacting the prognosis. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB)-induced myocarditis in mice is the most commonly used translational model to study viral myocarditis and has provided the majority of our current understanding of the disease pathophysiology. Nevertheless, the late stages of disease, encompassing fibrogenesis and arrhythmogenesis, have been underappreciated in viral myocarditis research to date. The present study investigated the natural history of CVB-induced myocarditis in C57BL/6J mice, expanding the focus beyond the acute phase of disease. In addition, we studied the impact of sex and inoculation dose on the disease course. METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6J mice (12 weeks old; n=154) received a single intraperitoneal injection with CVB to induce viral myocarditis, or vehicle (PBS) as control. Male mice (n=92) were injected with 5 × 105 (regular dose) (RD) or 5 × 106 (high dose) (HD) plaque-forming units of CVB, whereas female mice received the RD only. Animals were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 8, and 11 weeks after CVB or PBS injection. Virally inoculated mice developed viral disease with a temporary decline in general condition and weight loss, which was less pronounced in female animals (P<.001). In male CVB mice, premature mortality occurred between days 8 and 23 after inoculation (RD: 21%, HD: 20%), whereas all female animals survived. Over the course of disease, cardiac inflammation progressively subsided, with faster resolution in female mice. There were no substantial group differences in the composition of the inflammatory cell infiltrates: predominance of cytotoxic T cells at day 7 and 14, and a switch from arginase1-reactive macrophages to iNOS-reactive macrophages from day 7 to 14 were the main findings. There was concomitant development and maturation of different patterns of myocardial fibrosis, with enhanced fibrogenesis in male mice. Virus was almost completely cleared from the heart by day 14. Serum biomarkers of cardiac damage and cardiac expression of remodeling genes were temporarily elevated during the acute phase of disease. Cardiac CTGF gene upregulation was less prolonged in female CVB animals. In vivo electrophysiology studies at weeks 8 and 11 demonstrated that under baseline conditions (i.e. in the absence of proarrhythmogenic drugs), ventricular arrhythmias could only be induced in CVB animals. The cumulative arrhythmia burden throughout the entire stimulation protocol was not significantly different between CVB and control groups. CONCLUSION: CVB inoculation in C57BL/6J mice represents a model of acute self-limiting viral myocarditis, with progression to different patterns of myocardial fibrosis. Sex, but not inoculation dose, seems to modulate the course of disease.

Foot-and-mouth disease-associated myocarditis is age dependent in suckling calves.

Myocarditis is considered a fatal form of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in suckling calves. In the present study, a total of 17 calves under 4 months of age and suspected clinically for FMD were examined for clinical lesions, respiratory rate, heart rate, and heart rhythm. Lesion samples, saliva, nasal swabs, and whole blood were collected from suspected calves and subjected to Sandwich ELISA and reverse transcription multiplex polymerase chain reaction (RT-mPCR) for detection and serotyping of FMD virus (FMDV). The samples were found to be positive for FMDV serotype "O". Myocarditis was suspected in 6 calves based on tachypnoea, tachycardia, and gallop rhythm. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cardiac troponins (cTnI) were measured. Mean serum AST, cTn-I and LDH were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in < 2 months old FMD-infected calves showing clinical signs suggestive of myocarditis (264.833 ± 4.16; 11.650 ± 0.34 and 1213.33 ± 29.06) than those without myocarditis (< 2 months old: 110.00 ± 0.00, 0.06 ± 0.00, 1050.00 ± 0.00; > 2 months < 4 months: 83.00 ± 3.00, 0.05 ± 0.02, 1159.00 ± 27.63) and healthy control groups (< 2 months old: 67.50 ± 3.10, 0.047 ± 0.01, 1120.00 ± 31.62; > 2 months < 4 months: 72.83 ± 2.09, 0.47 ± 0.00, 1160.00 ± 18.44). However, mean serum CK-MB did not differ significantly amongst the groups. Four calves under 2 months old died and a necropsy revealed the presence of a pathognomic gross lesion of the myocardial form of FMD known as "tigroid heart". Histopathology confirmed myocarditis. This study also reports the relevance of clinical and histopathological findings and biochemical markers in diagnosing FMD-related myocarditis in suckling calves.

DNA Virome in Cardiac Tissue from Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) with Myocarditis.

As part of a sea turtle health monitoring program on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia, stranded and sick green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were subjected to necropsy and histopathology. A subset of these turtles had myocarditis of varying severity, which could not be attributed to parasitism by spirorchid flukes or bacterial infections. We, therefore, undertook an investigation to determine whether virus infections might be part of the pathogenesis. Deep sequencing revealed abundant DNA virus contigs in the heart tissue, of which CRESS and circoviruses appeared to be the most consistently present. Further analysis revealed the homology of some of the circoviruses to the beak and feather disease virus. While a causative link to myocarditis could not be established, the presence of these viruses may play a contributing role by affecting the immune system and overall health of animals exposed to pollutants, higher water temperatures, and decreasing nutrition.

Investigating TIP30-Mediated regulation of mTORC1 signaling as a therapeutic strategy for coxsackievirus B3-Induced viral myocarditis.

This study aims to elucidate the role of TIP30 (30 KDa HIV-1 TAT-Interacting Protein) in the progression of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis. TIP30 knockout and wildtype mice were intraperitoneally infected with CVB3 and evaluated at day 7 post-infection. HeLa cells were transfected with TIP30 lentiviral particles and subsequently infected with CVB3 to evaluate viral replication, cellular pathogenesis, and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Deletion of the TIP30 gene heightened heart virus titers and mortality rates in mice with CVB3-induced myocarditis, exacerbating cardiac damage and fibrosis, and elevating pro-inflammatory factors level. In vitro experiments demonstrated the modulation of mTORC1 signaling by TIP30 during CVB3 infection in HeLa cells. TIP30 overexpression mitigated CVB3-induced cellular pathogenesis and VP1 expression, with rapamycin, an mTOR1 inhibitor, reversing these effects. These findings suggest TIP30 plays a critical protective role against CVB3-induced myocarditis by regulating mTORC1 signaling.

Loss of TRIM29 mitigates viral myocarditis by attenuating PERK-driven ER stress response in male mice.

Viral myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of the myocardium, is a significant cause of sudden death in children and young adults. The current coronavirus disease 19 pandemic emphasizes the need to understand the pathogenesis mechanisms and potential treatment strategies for viral myocarditis. Here, we found that TRIM29 was highly induced by cardiotropic viruses and promoted protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responses that promote viral replication in cardiomyocytes in vitro. TRIM29 deficiency protected mice from viral myocarditis by promoting cardiac antiviral functions and reducing PERK-mediated inflammation and immunosuppressive monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (mMDSC) in vivo. Mechanistically, TRIM29 interacted with PERK to promote SUMOylation of PERK to maintain its stability, thereby promoting PERK-mediated signaling pathways. Finally, we demonstrated that the PERK inhibitor GSK2656157 mitigated viral myocarditis by disrupting the TRIM29-PERK connection, thereby bolstering cardiac function, enhancing cardiac antiviral responses, and curbing inflammation and immunosuppressive mMDSC in vivo. Our findings offer insight into how cardiotropic viruses exploit TRIM29-regulated PERK signaling pathways to instigate viral myocarditis, suggesting that targeting the TRIM29-PERK axis could mitigate disease severity.

RNA m5C methylation modification: a potential therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis.

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has quickly spread worldwide and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. Although most infections are mild, some patients can also develop severe and fatal myocarditis. In eukaryotic RNAs, 5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a common kind of post-transcriptional modification, which is involved in regulating various biological processes (such as RNA export, translation, and stability maintenance). With the rapid development of m5C modification detection technology, studies related to viral m5C modification are ever-increasing. These studies have revealed that m5C modification plays an important role in various stages of viral replication, including transcription and translation. According to recent studies, m5C methylation modification can regulate SARS-CoV-2 infection by modulating innate immune signaling pathways. However, the specific role of m5C modification in SARS-CoV-2-induced myocarditis remains unclear. Therefore, this review aims to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of m5C methylation in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the regulatory role of NSUN2 in viral infection and host innate immune response was also highlighted. This review may provide new directions for developing therapeutic strategies for SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis.

The lncRNA MEG3/miRNA-21/P38MAPK axis inhibits coxsackievirus 3 replication in acute viral myocarditis.

Evidence is emerging on the roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as regulatory factors in a variety of viral infection processes, but the mechanisms underlying their functions in coxsackievirus group B type3 (CVB3)-induced acute viral myocarditis have not been explicitly delineated. We previously demonstrated that CVB3 infection decreases miRNA-21 expression; however, lncRNAs that regulate the miRNA-21-dependent CVB3 disease process have yet to be identified. To evaluate lncRNAs upstream of miRNA-21, differentially expressed lncRNAs in CVB3-infected mouse hearts were identified by microarray analysis and lncRNA/miRNA-21 interactions were predicted bioinformatically. MEG3 was identified as a candidate miRNA-21-interacting lncRNA upregulated in CVB3-infected mouse hearts. MEG3 expression was verified to be upregulated in HeLa cells 48 h post CVB3 infection and to act as a competitive endogenous RNA of miRNA-21. MEG3 knockdown resulted in the upregulation of miRNA-21, which inhibited CVB3 replication by attenuating P38-MAPK signaling in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of MEG3 expression before CVB3 infection inhibited viral replication in mouse hearts and alleviated cardiac injury, which improved survival. Furthermore, the knockdown of CREB5, which was predicted bioinformatically to function upstream of MEG3, was demonstrated to decrease MEG3 expression and CVB3 viral replication. This study identifies the function of the lncRNA MEG3/miRNA-21/P38 MAPK axis in the process of CVB3 replication, for which CREB5 could serve as an upstream modulator.

Ivermectin ameliorates acute myocarditis via the inhibition of importin-mediated nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is an important clinical issue which lacks specific treatment by now. Ivermectin (IVM) is an inhibitor of importin α/ß-mediated nuclear translocation. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of IVM on acute myocarditis. METHODS: Mouse models of coxsackie B3 virus (CVB3) infection-induced myocarditis and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) were established to evaluate the effects of IVM. Cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiography and Millar catheter. Cardiac inflammatory infiltration was assessed by histological staining. Cytometric bead array and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The macrophages and their M1/M2 polarization were analyzed via flow cytometry. Protein expression and binding were detected by co-immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and histological staining. The underlying mechanism was verified in vitro using CVB3-infected RAW264.7 macrophages. Cyclic polypeptide (cTN50) was synthesized to selectively inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65, and CVB3-infected RAW264.7 cells were treated with cTN50. RESULTS: Increased expression of importin ß was observed in both models. IVM treatment improved cardiac functions and reduced the cardiac inflammation associated with CVB3-myocarditis and EAM. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß/IL-6/TNF-α) levels were downregulated via the inhibition of the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65 in macrophages. IVM and cTN50 treatment also inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65 and downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin inhibits the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65 and the expression of major pro-inflammatory cytokines in myocarditis. The therapeutic effects of IVM on viral and non-viral myocarditis models suggest its potential application in the treatment of acute myocarditis.

Caboxamycin Inhibits Heart Inflammation in a Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis Mouse Model.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a positive single-strand RNA genome virus which belongs to the enterovirus genus in the picornavirus family, like poliovirus. It is one of the most prevalent pathogens that cause myocarditis and pancreatitis in humans. However, a suitable therapeutic medication and vaccination have yet to be discovered. Caboxamycin, a benzoxazole antibiotic isolated from the culture broth of the marine strain Streptomyces sp., SC0774, showed an antiviral effect in CVB3-infected HeLa cells and a CVB3-induced myocarditis mouse model. Caboxamycin substantially decreased CVB3 VP1 production and cleavage of translation factor eIF4G1 from CVB3 infection. Virus-positive and -negative strand RNA was dramatically reduced by caboxamycin treatment. In addition, the cleavage of the pro-apoptotic molecules BAD, BAX, and caspase3 was significantly inhibited by caboxamycin treatment. In animal experiments, the survival rate of mice was improved following caboxamycin treatment. Moreover, caboxamycin treatment significantly decreased myocardial damage and inflammatory cell infiltration. Our study showed that caboxamycin dramatically suppressed cardiac inflammation and mouse death. This result suggests that caboxamycin may be suitable as a potential antiviral drug for CVB3.

STAT1 regulates neutrophil gelatinase B-associated lipocalin induction in influenza-induced myocarditis.

Influenza is a significant public health and economic threat around the world. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a close association between influenza pandemics and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, it has been shown that there is a decrease in cardiovascular mortality in high-risk patients following vaccination with the influenza vaccine. Here, we have investigated the role of anti-viral STAT1 signaling in influenza-induced myocarditis. Wild-type mice (C57BL/6) were infected with either influenza A/PR/8/34 or control, and cellular response and gene expression analysis from the heart samples were assessed 7 days later. The expression of interferon response genes STAT1, STAT2, Mx1, OASL2, ISG15, chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CXCL9 and CXCL10, and the frequency of neutrophils (CD45+CD11b+Ly6G+) and CD4+ T cells (CD45+CD4+) were all significantly increased in influenza-infected mice when compared to vehicle controls. These data suggest that influenza infection induces interferons, inflammatory chemokines, and cellular recruitment during influenza infection. We further investigated the role of STAT1 in influenza-induced myocarditis. The frequency of neutrophils and the levels of lipocalin 2 were significantly increased in STAT1-/- mice when compared to WT controls. Finally, we investigated the role of Lcn2 in viral-induced myocarditis. We found that in the absence of Lcn2, there was preserved cardiac function in Lcn2-/- mice when compared to WT controls. These data suggest that the absence of Lcn2 is cardioprotective during viral-induced myocarditis.