Abnormal cytokine profiles inpatients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy andtheir asymptomaticrelatives

Objectives-Immunological abnormalitiesinidiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) includean increase in soluble interleukin(IL)2 receptor, diseasespecificcardiacautoantibodies, an HLADR4association, andfamilial aggregation of disease; however,cytokine profiles havenotbeendefined. SerumconcentrationsofIL-2,IL-4,IL-10, andIL-12were measuredinpatients withDCM (WHO criteria), relatives withasymptomatic left ventricular enlargement (LVE),patients withischaemic heartfailure (IHD),and healthy controls. Design-Serum from20individuals from eachofthefourgroupswasassayed for cytokine concentrations byacommercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Results-IL-2 concentrations wereabnormallyincreased inDCM patients andrelatives withLVE.Concentrations ofIL-10 were increasedin DCM patients. Concentrations ofIL-4 andIL-12werenot increased inanyofthegroups. Conclusion-These abnormalities may reflectdefective/inappropriate T cell function inpatients withDCM andin their relatives withLVE. (Heart 1996;75:287-290)