IL-23, IL-17 mRNA and protein expression in the myocardium of mice. A. Strong expression of IL-23, IL-17 occurred from the first week to the sixth week after CVB3 infection inVMC mice. M: Maker; 1: week 0; 2: week 1; 3: week 2; 4: week 3; 5: week 4; 6: week 6. B. Densitometric quantitation of IL-23. IL-23 mRNA expression was elevated in VMC mice from the first week to the sixth week. ΔP < 0.01, versus control group, ΔP < 0.05, versus week 0, 1, and 2 VMC mice. C. Densitometric quantitation of IL-17. IL-17 mRNA expression was elevated in VMC mice from the first week, and the arbitrary units were higher than those of controls. ΔP < 0.01 versus controls, ΔP < 0.05, versus week 0 VMC mice. D. Representative of IL-17 immunohistochemistry images in heart tissue of VMC mice (Dark brown granules, original magnification × 400). E. Morphometric quantitation of IL-17 protein expression. ΔP < 0.01, versus control group, ΔP < 0.05, versus week 0, 1, 2 and 6 VMC mice. F. IL-23 protein levels were steadily increased in the VMC mice, ΔP < 0.05, versus control group, ΔP < 0.05, versus week 0, and 6 VMC mice. G, IL-17 protein levels were steadily increased in the VMC mice from 1 week after i.p, and reached statistical difference comparing with those of controls, ΔP < 0.05. The highest level of IL-17 in VMC occurred on 4th week, ΔP < 0.05, versus week 0, 1 VMC mice. ※P < 0.05, versus week 0, 1 VMC mice.