[Roles of cytokines in the pathogenesis of heart failure].

Cytokines are being increasingly recognized as important factors in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of heart failure. Elevated levels of circulating cytokines have been reported in patients with heart failure, and various cytokines have been shown to depress myocardial contractility in vitro and in vivo. Our recent study showed that the various drugs for heart failure modulated the production of cytokines, and some of these drugs inhibited activation of NF-kappa B. Cytokine gene therapy which inhibits inflammatory response by viral IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist has been shown to be effective in the animal models of heart failure. Mast cells have been shown to play important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure due to viral myocarditis, and transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure.