IL-10 inhibits inflammation and attenuates left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction via activation of STAT3 and suppression of HuR

Persistent inflammatory response has adverse effects on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling following acute myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that suppression of inflammation with interleukin (IL)-10 treatment attenuates LV dysfunction and remodeling after acute myocardial infarction. After the induction of acute myocardial infarction, mice were treated with either saline or recombinant IL-10, and inflammatory response and LV functional and structural remodeling changes were evaluated. IL-10 significantly suppressed infiltration of inflammatory cells and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the myocardium. These changes were associated with IL-10-mediated inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and repression of the cytokine mRNA-stabilizing protein HuR. IL-10 treatment significantly improved LV functions, reduced infarct size, and attenuated infarct wall thinning. Myocardial infarction-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and activity was associated with increased fibrosis, whereas IL-10 treatment reduced both MMP-9 activity and fibrosis. Small interfering RNA knockdown of HuR mimicked IL-10-mediated reduction in MMP-9 expression and activity in NIH3T3 cells. Moreover, IL-10 treatment significantly increased capillary density in the infarcted myocardium which was associated with enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that IL-10 suppresses inflammatory response and contributes to improved LV function and remodeling by inhibiting fibrosis via suppression of HuR/MMP-9 and by enhancing capillary density through activation of STAT3.