Gene expression signatures of CD11b+ cells in mice after myocardial infarction

To further search for potential gene targets which are involved in the pathological process of myocardial infarction, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify the expression of STAT6, β1-adrenergic receptors and inflammatory cytokines. The CD11b+ cells were isolated from spleen and bone marrow of mice by magnetic beads, and the experimental mice were divided into four time points (control, MI 1week, MI 2 weeks, and MI 4 weeks). We found the β1-AR related sympathetic signal, the STAT6 signal and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-18 and TGF-β) are involved in the activation of CD11b+ immune cells and cardiac fibrogenesis after myocardial infarction. The gene expression was measured in spleen-derived and bone marrow-derived CD11b+ cells of mice. Mice were divided into four groups (control, MI 1week, MI 2 weeks and MI 4 weeks). There were five mice in each group.