Abstract
Periostin plays a critical role in tissue regeneration and homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in periostin levels in the hearts of rats with experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of periostin and alpha-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased at day 14 post-immunization. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that periostin was expressed in macrophages and fibroblasts in the hearts of EAM-induced rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that increased periostin expression in macrophages and fibroblasts promotes cardiac fibrosis in EAM-induced rats, potentially by enhancing immune cell infiltration. Therefore, periostin should be further investigated as a candidate therapeutic target for myocarditis.