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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
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Human atrium transcript analysis of permanent atrial fibrillation
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Ministry of Education.
International Heart Journal
|January 28, 2014
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) involves significant gene expression changes, including metabolic alterations and immune/platelet activation. These molecular shifts in the atrium contribute to the complex mechanisms underlying AF and its associated cardiac remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia linked to stroke and heart failure.
- The precise mechanisms driving left atrial remodeling and AF pathophysiology remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular landscape of the left atrium in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.
- To identify differentially expressed genes and pathways implicated in AF-related atrial remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptomic analysis using Agilent 4x44K microarrays comparing atrial fibrillation patients (n=7) with healthy donors (n=4).
- Gene expression data analyzed via Gene Ontology, KEGG, and Biocarta pathway databases.
- Validation of key genes using real-time RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Identified 567 downregulated and 420 upregulated genes in AF.
- Downregulated genes were predominantly involved in metabolic processes, especially fatty acid metabolism.
- Upregulated genes indicated immune and platelet activation.
- Observed atrial remodeling markers related to structural, contractile, electrophysiological, neurohormonal, and oxidant stress pathways.
Conclusions:
- Specific AF-associated genes were identified, potentially elucidating mechanisms of left atrial remodeling.
- Metabolic dysregulation and inflammation are suggested as key factors promoting or exacerbating atrial fibrillation.
