Conclusions
Atrial cardiomyocyte remodeling in persistent AFib is closely linked to alterations in gene expression profiles compared to SR in patients with primary MR. Study findings may lead to novel therapeutic targets. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00970034.
Methods
After transcriptomic analysis and bioinformatics (n = 59), differentially expressed genes were defined using 1.5-fold change as the threshold. Additionally, independent datasets from GEO were included as meta-analyses.
Results
QRT-PCR analysis confirmed that AFib persistence was associated with increased expression molecular changes underlying a transition to heart failure (NPPB, P = 0.002; ANGPTL2, P = 0.002; IGFBP2, P = 0.010), structural remodeling including changes in the extracellular matrix and cellular stress response (COLQ, P = 0.003; COMP, P = 0.028; DHRS9, P = 0.038; CHGB, P = 0.038), and cellular stress response (DNAJA4, P = 0.038). Furthermore, AFib persistence was associated with decreased expression of the targets of structural remodeling (BMP7, P = 0.021) and electrical remodeling (CACNB2, P = 0.035; MCOLN3, P = 0.035) in both left and right atrial samples. The transmission electron microscopic analysis confirmed ultrastructural atrial remodeling and autophagy in human AFib atrial samples. Conclusions: Atrial cardiomyocyte remodeling in persistent AFib is closely linked to alterations in gene expression profiles compared to SR in patients with primary MR. Study findings may lead to novel therapeutic targets. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00970034.