The effect of interferon on mouse myocardial capillaries: An ultrastructural study

Hertzel Salman, Michael Bergman, Hanna Bessler, Svetlana Alexandrova, Meir Djaldetti*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Cardiotoxicity, including ischemia and myocardial infarction, is one of the complications observed after treatment with interferon (IFN). Therefore, the question has been raised whether IFN may cause damage to the small myocardial blood vessels. METHODS. In this study, 400 U of IFN-α-2b per g of body weight were injected intraperitoneally into 2 groups of C57 BI mice, 5 days a week for 3 and 5 months, respectively. Thin sections of the myocardium were examined with a transmission electron microscope and the ultrastructure of the capillaries was compared with that of control animals. RESULTS. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the thickness of the endothelial processes of the myocardial capillary walls in the mice treated with IFN, with a subsequent decrease in the size of the capillary lumen. The entire capillary area was not affected. CONCLUSIONS. These findings may serve as an additional explanation for the cardiac complications observed in patients treated with IFN.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1375-1379
Number of pages5
JournalCancer
Volume85
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Mar 1999

Keywords

  • Capillaries
  • Electron microscopy
  • Interferon
  • Mouse myocardium
  • Ultrastructure

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