Key Points
- To examine the repertoire diversity of T-cell receptor V alpha genes expressed by heart-infiltrating lymphocytes in a murine model of acute coxsackie virus B3 myocarditis.
- Extracted RNA from infiltrating cardiac cells and control spleen lymphocytes in mice with coxsackie virus B3-induced acute myocarditis (N=8).
- Analyzed T-cell receptor V alpha gene expression using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and verified products via Southern blot hybridization with a C alpha cDNA probe.
- Infiltrating cardiac cells exhibited a restricted T-cell receptor V alpha repertoire compared to spleen lymphocytes.
- V alpha 10 gene transcripts were detected in 5 of 8 myocarditic hearts, while V alpha 7 appeared in 2 of 8 hearts and V alpha 3 appeared in 1 of 8 hearts.
Structured PICO
PPopulationMurine model of acute myocarditis caused by Coxsackie virus B3 (n=8 hearts)
IInterventionAnalysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) V alpha gene expression by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot hybridization
CComparatorSpleen lymphocytes
OOutcomeExpression repertoire of TCR V alpha genes in infiltrating cellssurrogate
The restricted TCR V alpha repertoire in infiltrating cells suggests a specific antigen target in viral myocarditis, raising the possibility of targeted immunotherapy.