Pathogenesis of Lactobacillus Casei Cell Wall Extract-Induced Cardiovasculitis.

Abstract

In this experiment, coronary angitis with fibrinoid necrosis, aortitis, endocarditis of the aortic and pulmonary valves, and pericarditis were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of the water soluble cell wall extract from Lactobacillus casei (LCWE). Inflammatory cell infiltration of primarily monocytes and neutrophils was found throughout the aortae, the endocardium, the coronary arteries, and the pericardium. Other organs showed no such inflammatory changes.Immunohistochemically, overexpression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α of endothelial cells of the aorta, coronary artery, capillaries and endocardium, and pericardium was observed after intraperitoneal injection of LCWE. These adhesion molecules and cytokines showed the strongest expression 24 and 48hr after intraperitoneal injection of LCWE. The expression of ICAM-1, MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α in endothelial cells and in the pericardium decreased 1 week after LCWE injection. VCAM-1 expression of endothelial cells disappeared 1 week after the injection. In conclusion, LCWE-induced overexpression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells of the aorta, coronary artery, capillaries and endocardium, and pericardium may contribute to cardiovasculitis of the mice.