Pentraxin 3 promotes the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the migration of macrophages in myocarditis

Figures

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  Fig. 1. (A) Immunofluorescence staining of PTX3 (red) and NLRP3 (green) in myocardial sections from a patient with fall injury. (B) Immunofluorescence staining of PTX3 (red) and NLRP3 (green) in myocardial sections from a patient with severe myocarditis. PTX3 and NLRP3 colocalized in cardiomyocyte (merged in orange). (original magnification×400)

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  Fig. 2. (A) qPCR analysis of PTX3 mRNA expression in cardiomyocytes, normalized to GAPDH (n = 3 biological replicates). (B) qPCR analysis of NLRP3 mRNA expression in cardiomyocytes, normalized to GAPDH (n = 3 biological replicates). (C) Representative Western blot image showing PTX3 and NLRP3 protein expression in cardiomyocytes. (D) Quantitative analysis of PTX3 protein expression relative to GAPDH (n = 3 independent experiments). (E) Quantitative analysis of NLRP3 protein expression relative to GAPDH (n = 3 independent experiments). Data are presented as mean ± SEM

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  Fig. 3. (A) ELISA analysis showing IL-1β levels in cell culture supernatants of different groups of cardiomycytes. (B) ELISA analysis showing IL-18 levels in cell culture supernatants of different groups of cardiomycytes. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 4 biological replicates)

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  Fig. 4. (A) Transwell assay demonstrating the effect of PTX3 on macrophage migration. Cardiomyocytes from each experimental group were plated in the lower compartment, while macrophages were introduced into the upper compartment. Migrated macrophages were stained with crystal violet. (original magnification×100). (B) Quantitative assessment of macrophage migration in the transwell assay. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3 independent experiments)