Abstract 12240: Dendritic Cell is an Immunoprotective Regulator in Post-Infarction Healing and Left Ventricular Remodeling

Background- Inflammation and immune responses are integral components in the healing process after myocardial infarction (MI). We previously reported dendritic cell (DC) infiltration into the infarcted heart. This study was designed to elucidate whether and how DC contributes to post-infarction healing and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Methods and Results- Bone-marrow (BM) cells from CD11c-diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated wild-type (WT) recipient mice. After reconstitution of BM-derived cells, the recipient mice were treated with either diphtheria toxin (DC-ablation group) or vehicle (control group), and MI was created by left coronary ligation. CD11c+ GFP+ DCs expressing CD11b and MHC class II were recruited into the heart, peaking on day 7 after MI in control group. Mice with DC depletion for 7 days showed increased mortality, and deteriorated LV dysfunction and remodeling 28 days after MI. DC-ablation group de...