Fig 2: A. The expression of plasma IL-37 was markedly higher in the ACS than that in the controls (NC), and the expression of IL-37 in STEMI was especially highest among all the subgroups. # p<0.05 vs UA, NSTEMI and STEMI, *p<0.05 vs UA and NSTEMI. B. The expression of plasma IL-37 level in severe ACS (STEMI) patients at different time points. IL-37 was dramatically increased before PCI and decreased before discharge. However, it was still higher than that at admission. # p<0.05 vs pre-PCI, post-PCI and discharge day, *p<0.05 vs pre-PCI and post-PCI.

Fig 3: Expression of plasma IL-37 and ROCK activity of PMBCs in patients with STEMI on both admission and discharge timesWestern blotting results showed the decreased ROCK activity of PBMCs A. but still higher plasma level of IL-37 on discharge B. n=6, Error bars are shown as mean±s.e.m. *p<0.05 vs admission (one-way analysis of variance).

Fig 4: A. The Kaplan–Meier curves for death-free survival within 3 years according to median of IL-37 (6.4 pg/ml). High IL-37 group has higher mortality risk to low IL-37 expression group (log rank X2 = 5.16, p = 0.023). B. Mortality and surviving days C. in ACS patients according to quartile of plasma IL-37 level. Q4 had a significantly higher mortality than Q1, Q2 and Q3 (p<0.05). However, Q1 had relative higher mortality and shorter surviving days than Q2 and Q3 (p<0.05). # p<0.05 vs Q2 and Q3, *p<0.05 vs Q1, Q2 and Q3.

Fig 5: A. Protection of IL-37 in healthy donor cells (PMBCs) in vitro with ischemial reperfusion injury. B. IL-37 decreased ROCK activity in healthy donor cells (PMBCs) in vitro when stimulated by calpeptin.n=6, Error bars are shown as mean±s.e.m. *p<0.05 vs normal control, # p<0.05 vs IR or calpeptin group (one-way analysis of variance).