Zhang Caiyun, Xiao Zhenghua, Yang Dongmei
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy (Pharmacy), West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityWest China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Mol Biotechnol. 2024 Nov 22. doi: 10.1007/s12033-024-01321-4.
The study aimed to clarify the association between Th17 cell-related cytokine expressions and valve damage in rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Twenty RHD patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery were selected as the observation group (Group O), and 20 non-rheumatic valve disease patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery (degenerative mitral valve prolapse) were recruited as the control group (Group C). Histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was conducted to observe inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, and neovascularization. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze Th17 cell-related cytokines (interleukin (IL)-17, IL-6, IL-23, IL-21) in patients' cardiac valve tissues. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between Th17-related cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, and neovascularization. compared to the Group C, the Group O exhibited significantly higher proportions of IL-17, IL-21, IL-6, and IL-23 positive cells and immunohistochemical scores in valve tissues (P < 0.05). Additionally, inflammatory cell infiltration scores, tissue fibrosis scores, and neovascularization scores in valve tissues were significantly higher in the Group O compared to the Group C (P < 0.05). The expression of Th17-related cytokines IL-17, IL-21, IL-6, and IL-23 in valve tissues showed a positive correlation with inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, and neovascularization (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrate a notable association between Th17 cell-related cytokine expressions in the heart valves of RHD patients and valve damage, providing a potential target for the treatment and prevention of RHD.
本研究旨在阐明风湿性心脏病（RHD）中Th17细胞相关细胞因子表达与瓣膜损伤之间的关联。选取20例行二尖瓣置换手术的RHD患者作为观察组（O组），招募20例行二尖瓣置换手术（退行性二尖瓣脱垂）的非风湿性瓣膜病患者作为对照组（C组）。采用苏木精-伊红（H&E）染色进行组织病理学检查，以观察炎症细胞浸润、纤维化和新生血管形成。进行免疫组织化学染色，分析患者心脏瓣膜组织中Th17细胞相关细胞因子（白细胞介素（IL）-17、IL-6、IL-23、IL-21）。采用Spearman相关性分析研究Th17相关细胞因子与炎症细胞浸润、纤维化和新生血管形成之间的相关性。与C组相比，O组瓣膜组织中IL-17、IL-21、IL-6和IL-23阳性细胞比例及免疫组织化学评分显著更高（P < 0.05）。此外，与C组相比，O组瓣膜组织中的炎症细胞浸润评分、组织纤维化评分和新生血管形成评分显著更高（P < 0.05）。瓣膜组织中Th17相关细胞因子IL-17、IL-21、IL-6和IL-23的表达与炎症细胞浸润、纤维化和新生血管形成呈正相关（P < 0.05）。结论：结果表明RHD患者心脏瓣膜中Th17细胞相关细胞因子表达与瓣膜损伤之间存在显著关联，为RHD的治疗和预防提供了潜在靶点。
