CXCL10 Is a Circulating Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: a Pilot Study

Chemokines are involved in the remodeling of the heart; however, their significance as biomarkers in heart failureis unknown. We observed that circulating CXCR3receptor chemokines CXCL9and CXCL10in a rat model of heart failurewere increased 1 week after myocardial infarction. CXCL10was also increased in both remote and infarcted regions of the heart and remained elevated at 16 weeks; CXCL9was elevated in the remote area at 1 week. In humans, hierarchical clusteringand principal component analysis revealed that circulating CXCL10, MIP-1α, and CD40ligand were the best indicators for differentiating healthy and heart failuresubjects. Serum CXCL10levels were increased in patients with symptomatic heart failureas indexed by NYHA classificationII through IV. The presence of CXCL10, MIP-1α, and CD40ligand appears to be dominant in patients with advanced heart failure. These findings identify a distinct profile of inflammatory mediators in heart failurepatients.