Activation of intrinsic and extrinsic proapoptotic signaling pathways in interleukin-18-mediated human cardiac endothelial cell death.

Endothelial cells are the primary targets of circulating immune and inflammatory mediators. We hypothesize that interleukin-18, a proinflammatory cytokine, induces endothelial cell apoptosis. Human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC) were treated with interleukin (IL) 18.