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Increased plasma microfibrillar-associated protein 4 is associated with atrial fibrillation and more advanced left

Xianlin Zhang1,2, Hailing Li1, Wenxin Kou1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Archives of Medical Science : AMS
|May 22, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Plasma microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is elevated in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, particularly persistent AF. Higher MFAP4 levels correlate with left atrial enlargement and fibrosis, suggesting its role in AF progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with structural changes in the atria.
  • Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is a protein found in extracellular matrix, but its role in AF is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) levels and atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To evaluate the relationship of MFAP4 to atrial structural remodeling, including left atrial size and fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma MFAP4 levels were measured in 92 AF patients (paroxysmal AF and persistent AF) and 71 controls.
  • Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess MFAP4's predictive value for AF incidence and left atrial size.
  • MFAP4 levels and fibrosis were analyzed in an atrial-specific fibrosis rat model.

Main Results:

  • Plasma MFAP4 levels showed a gradient, increasing from controls to paroxysmal AF to persistent AF patients (p < 0.01).
  • Plasma MFAP4 was an independent determinant of left atrial diameter in AF patients.
  • In rats, both plasma and atrial MFAP4 levels increased with atrial fibrosis and correlated positively with its severity.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma MFAP4 is elevated in AF patients, with the highest levels in persistent AF.
  • Both plasma and atrial MFAP4 protein expression are directly associated with the extent of left atrial structural remodeling and fibrosis.
Keywords:
atrial fibrillationatrial fibrosisbiomarkermicrofibrillar-associated protein 4

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