Cardioprotective actions of an N-terminal fragment of annexin-1 in rat myocardium in vitro

Abstract

We have previously shown that the glucocorticoid dexamethasone prevents the cardiodepressant actions of interferon-γ plus lipopolysaccharide in cardiac tissue in vitro. We now demonstrate that an N-terminal fragment of annexin-1 (Ac2-26, 1 μM), a putative mediator of glucocorticoid actions, completely protects against interferon-γ+lipopolysaccharide-induced depression of the inotropic response to isoprenaline in rat isolated papillary muscles. However, Ac2-26 does not preserve resting contractile function. Fifteen hours incubation with interferon-γ+lipopolysaccharide also markedly induced mRNA expression (by real time polymerase chain reaction, PCR) of both the nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2)..