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Förster CY, Künzel SR, Shityakov S, Stavrakis S. Synergistic Effects of Weight Loss and Catheter Ablation: Can microRNAs Serve as Predictive Biomarkers for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4689. [PMID: 38731908 PMCID: PMC11083177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In atrial fibrillation (AF), multifactorial pathologic atrial alterations are manifested by structural and electrophysiological changes known as atrial remodeling. AF frequently develops in the context of underlying cardiac abnormalities. A critical mechanistic role played by atrial stretch is played by abnormal substrates in a number of conditions that predispose to AF, including obesity, heart failure, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The significant role of overweight and obesity in the development of AF is known; however, the differential effect of overweight, obesity, cardiovascular comorbidities, lifestyle, and other modifiable risk factors on the occurrence and recurrence of AF remains to be determined. Reverse remodeling of the atrial substrate and subsequent reduction in the AF burden by conversion into a typical sinus rhythm has been associated with weight loss through lifestyle changes or surgery. This makes it an essential pillar in the management of AF in obese patients. According to recently published research, microRNAs (miRs) may function as post-transcriptional regulators of genes involved in atrial remodeling, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of AF. The focus of this review is on their modulation by both weight loss and catheter ablation interventions to counteract atrial remodeling in AF. Our analysis outlines the experimental and clinical evidence supporting the synergistic effects of weight loss and catheter ablation (CA) in reversing atrial electrical and structural remodeling in AF onset and in recurrent post-ablation AF by attenuating pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, arrhythmogenic, and male-sex-associated hypertrophic remodeling pathways. Furthermore, we discuss the promising role of miRs with prognostic potential as predictive biomarkers in guiding approaches to AF recurrence prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Y. Förster
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stephan R. Künzel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sergey Shityakov
- Laboratory of Chemoinformatics, Infochemistry Scientific Center, ITMO University, 197101 Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Friebel J, Wegner M, Blöbaum L, Schencke PA, Jakobs K, Puccini M, Ghanbari E, Lammel S, Thevathasan T, Moos V, Witkowski M, Landmesser U, Rauch-Kröhnert U. Characterization of Biomarkers of Thrombo-Inflammation in Patients with First-Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4109. [PMID: 38612918 PMCID: PMC11012942 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with first-diagnosed atrial fibrillation (FDAF) exhibit major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during follow-up. Preclinical models have demonstrated that thrombo-inflammation mediates adverse cardiac remodeling and atherothrombotic events. We have hypothesized that thrombin activity (FIIa) links coagulation with inflammation and cardiac fibrosis/dysfunction. Surrogate markers of the thrombo-inflammatory response in plasma have not been characterized in FDAF. In this prospective longitudinal study, patients presenting with FDAF (n = 80), and 20 matched controls, were included. FIIa generation and activity in plasma were increased in the patients with early AF compared to the patients with chronic cardiovascular disease without AF (controls; p < 0.0001). This increase was accompanied by elevated biomarkers (ELISA) of platelet and endothelial activation in plasma. Pro-inflammatory peripheral immune cells (TNF-α+ or IL-6+) that expressed FIIa-activated protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) (flow cytometry) circulated more frequently in patients with FDAF compared to the controls (p < 0.0001). FIIa activity correlated with cardiac fibrosis (collagen turnover) and cardiac dysfunction (NT-pro ANP/NT-pro BNP) surrogate markers. FIIa activity in plasma was higher in patients with FDAF who experienced MACE. Signaling via FIIa might be a presumed link between the coagulation system (tissue factor-FXa/FIIa-PAR1 axis), inflammation, and pro-fibrotic pathways (thrombo-inflammation) in FDAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Friebel
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Wegner
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Leon Blöbaum
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Philipp-Alexander Schencke
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Kai Jakobs
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Marianna Puccini
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Emily Ghanbari
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Stella Lammel
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
| | - Tharusan Thevathasan
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Moos
- Medical Department I, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Witkowski
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
- Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center at Charité, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center at Charité, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ursula Rauch-Kröhnert
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.F.); (P.-A.S.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center at Charité, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
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Hegemann N, Barth L, Döring Y, Voigt N, Grune J. Implications for neutrophils in cardiac arrhythmias. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H441-H458. [PMID: 38099844 PMCID: PMC11219058 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00590.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias commonly occur as a result of aberrant electrical impulse formation or conduction in the myocardium. Frequently discussed triggers include underlying heart diseases such as myocardial ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, or genetic anomalies of ion channels involved in the tightly regulated cardiac action potential. Recently, the role of innate immune cells in the onset of arrhythmic events has been highlighted in numerous studies, correlating leukocyte expansion in the myocardium to increased arrhythmic burden. Here, we aim to call attention to the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias and their expansion during myocardial ischemia and infectious disease manifestation. In addition, we will elucidate molecular mechanisms associated with neutrophil activation and discuss their involvement as direct mediators of arrhythmogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Hegemann
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Barth
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Yannic Döring
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Niels Voigt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jana Grune
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
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