Cytokine mRNA levels in the hearts of inbred mice that develop different degrees of cardiomyopathy during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi

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Abstract
Profiles of cytokine mRNA expression were examined by semiquantitative RT‐PCR in the hearts of DBA/2 (pathopermissive) and B10.D2 (pathoresistant) mice during infection with the Brazil strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. The levels and time‐course profiles of IFNγ, IL‐1β and IL‐10 mRNA expression were similar in each strain. TNFα, iNOs, and IL‐13 mRNA expression peaked at comparable levels and times after infection in each strain, but declined more rapidly in B10.D2 than in DBA/2 mice. Peak IL‐2 mRNA levels were also similar between the two strains, but occurred earlier in DBA/2 than in B10.D2 mice. Levels of IL‐4, IL‐6 and IL‐12 mRNA were significantly higher in DBA/2 than in B10.D2 mice from day 10 through day 50 of infection. With the exception of IL‐1β, which was expressed constitutively in both strains, the levels of mRNA of all other cytokines examined reached their peak no later than day 20 and declined significantly by day 50 after infection. The inflammatory infiltrate paralleled the latter cytokines; starting at day 10 in DBA/2 mice and at day 15 in the B10.D2 s, peaking between days 20 and 30 in both strains, decreasing to minimal levels by day 50 in the pathoresistant mice, but maintaining a mild amount through day 70 in the pathopermissive strain. The inflammation was composed mostly of lymphocytes and histiocytes throughout the entire process. These data demonstrate differences in the profiles of cytokine mRNA that may be related to the differential degree of cardiac pathology that develops in these two strains of mice upon infection with T. cruzi.

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