IL-17A levels increase in the infarcted region of the left ventricle in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Th17 cells, a recently described subtype of CD4+ effector lymphocytes, have been linked to cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as to cardiovascular diseases. However, the participation of IL-17A in myocardial ischemic injury has not been clearly defined. We therefore conducted the present study to evaluate IL-17A and Th17-related cytokine levels in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI).

NFAT5 is activated by hypoxia: role in ischemia and reperfusion in the rat kidney.

The current hypothesis postulates that NFAT5 activation in the kidney's inner medulla is due to hypertonicity, resulting in cell protection. Additionally, the renal medulla is hypoxic (10-18 mmHg); however there is no information about the effect of hypoxia on NFAT5. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we evaluated the effect of reducing the partial pressure of oxygen (PO(2)) on NFAT5 activity.