Regulatory T cells protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice.

AIMS/

introductionRegulatory T cells (Tregs) have protected against many cardiovascular diseases. This study was intended to explore the effect of Tregs on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) using a db/db mouse model. MATERIALS AND

methodsEight-week-old male db/db mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, administered 200 μL phosphate-buffered saline; the small-dose Treg group, administered 10

resultsEchocardiography showed that the impaired diastolic and systolic functions were significantly improved in mice administered large-dose Tregs. Large-dose Tregs significantly ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and decreased hypertrophic gene expression and collagen deposition. The protective effects of Tregs on diabetic hearts were associated with decreased oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis. In addition, Tregs promoted the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, whereas they inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, which might be responsible for the cardioprotective role of Tregs against DCM.

conclusionsTregs ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, improved cardiac dysfunction, and protected against DCM progression in db/db mice. The mechanisms involved a decrease of inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis, which might be mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Hence, Tregs might serve as a promising therapeutic approach for DCM treatment.