An anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13: Physiological role in the heart and mechanoelectrical feedback

Abstract

The role of cytokines in responses not associated with inflammation as well as their involvement in regulation of non-haematopoietic cell activity is intensively studied during last decades. Control of heart activity can be carried out by pro-inflammatory cytokines. During the last decades considerable attention was drawn to the role of cytokines in physiological reactions not related to inflammation as well as their involvement in regulation of non-haematopoietic cell activity. An involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the control of heart activity is thoroughly discussed in many publications. On the other hand such experimental data for the anti-inflammatory cytokines are currently absent. This review briefly summarizes existing evidences of involvement of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 in the control of heart functioning and presents our latest findings on IL-13 influence on cardiomyocytes activity. According to our data, application of the IL-13 led to moderate acute changes in electrical activity of cardiomyocytes. At the same time it did not cause any electrical abnormalities, which is opposite to inflammatory cytokines application effects. Application of IL-13 reduced the effect of the mechanical stretch application on electrical activity of cardiomyocytes. Negative inotropic effect of anti-inflammatory IL-13 contrasts with positive inotropic effect of most pro-inflammatory cytokines. Special attention is given to possible mechanisms of IL-13-signaling and its influence on cardiac function in norm and pathology.