Atrial myofibroblast activation and connective tissue formation in a porcine model of atrial fibrillation and reduced left ventricular function

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with fibrosis that slows electrical conduction and causes perpetuation of the arrhythmia. The molecular characterization of AF pathophysiology may provide novel therapeutic options. This study was designed to elucidate profibrotic signaling and myofibroblast activation in a porcine model of atrial tachypacing-induced AF and reduced left ventricular function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten domestic pigs were randomized to sinus rhythm (SR) or AF groups. Prior to AF induction and on day 14 the animals underwent echocardiographic examinations. Profibrotic pathways were analyzed in right atrial tissue obtained from AF animals compared to SR controls using histology, immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blot, and real-time PCR.

KEY FINDINGS: AF was associated with atrial dilation, increased atrial fibrosis, and enhanced expression of collagens I and V in right atrial tissue after 14days follow-up. The fraction of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-producing activated myofibroblasts was elevated in AF, whereas the abundance of vimentin-expressing inactive fibroblasts was not affected. Profibrotic signaling involved upregulation of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, and CTGF.

SIGNIFICANCE: The transformation of atrial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts through activation of TGF-β1 and CTGF emerged as potential cellular trigger of fibrogenesis. Prevention of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast switching may serve as target for remodeling-based antiarrhythmic AF therapy.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2017

Erschienen:

2017

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:181

Enthalten in:

Life sciences - 181(2017) vom: 15. Juli, Seite 1-8

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Lugenbiel, Patrick [VerfasserIn]
Wenz, Fabian [VerfasserIn]
Govorov, Katharina [VerfasserIn]
Syren, Pascal [VerfasserIn]
Katus, Hugo A [VerfasserIn]
Thomas, Dierk [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

139568-91-5
Animal model
Atrial fibrillation
Connective Tissue Growth Factor
Fibroblast
Fibrosis
Heart failure
Journal Article
Myofibroblast
Remodeling
Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 11.09.2017

Date Revised 09.04.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.lfs.2017.05.025

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM272272876