The expression and significance of proto-oncogene c-fos in viral myocarditis

An animal model of VMC was established via coxsackie virus B3 inoculation. VMC mice were then treated with a c-fos monoclonal antibody and isoproterenol and the protein and mRNA expression of c-fos were studied via immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization. Results were simultaneously analyzed for the significance of c-fos expression in mice with VMC.Myocardial necrosis and cell infiltration decreased after treatment with c-fos monoclonal antibody compared to control mice, while myocardial necrosis and cell infiltration were increased after treatment with isoproterenol. Positive cardiomyocytes with c-Fos expression increased at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 15 days after virus inoculation in VMC mice compared to control mice, while returning to almost normal levels at 35 days. The expression level of c-fos mRNA at 3 and 7 days after virus inoculation in VMC mice was also higher than that of control mice.c-fos expression in the cardiomyocytes of VMC mice is significantly increased, c-fos plays an important role in myocardial lesions. The apparent increase in expression of c-fos is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of VMC.The proto-oncogene c-fos participates in a variety of physiological process including cell growth, differentiation, transformation, signal transduction, and plasticity of the nervous system [1]. The expression of c-fos is known to be increased in particular diseases and pathophysiological processes, indicating that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. The expression and function of c-fos in viral myocarditis (VMC) have not yet been reported. Therefore, our experiments were focused on the study of the expression of c-fos in VMC by ways of immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization. Simultaneously, we investigated the significance of c-fos in VMC via medicine treatment with c-fos monoclonal antibody or isoproterenol.BALB/c mice, male, 4-6 weeks old, 16-20 grams.c-fos monoclonal antibody, isoproterenol, normal goat