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Chu H, Guo X, Xu H, Wang S, He J, Wang Y. Causal relationship between immune cells and atrial fibrillation: A Mendelian randomization study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38079. [PMID: 38728471 PMCID: PMC11081550 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, with recent research indicating a correlation between immune system characteristics and the development of AF. However, it remains uncertain whether the immunological response is the primary underlying component or a secondary consequence of AF. Initially, we investigated the effect of immune cells on AF by performing forward Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses with immune cells as the exposure variable and their associated genetic variants as instrumental variables. Subsequently, we performed reverse MR analyses with AF as the exposure variable and immune cells as the outcome variable to exclude the interference of reverse causality, to distinguish between primary and secondary effects, and to further elucidate the causal relationship between the immune system and AF. We discovered that membrane proteins on specific immune cells, such as CD25 on memory B cells-which functions as a part of the interleukin-2 receptor-may be risk factors for AF development, with odds ratios of 1.0233 (95% confidence interval: 1.0012-1.0458, P = .0383). In addition, certain immune cell counts, such as the CD4 regulatory T cell Absolute Count, play a protective factor in the development of AF (odds ratio: 0.9513, 95% confidence interval: 0.9165-0.9874; P = .0086). More detailed results are elaborated in the main text. Our MR study has yielded evidence that substantiates a genetically inferred causal association between the immune system and AF. Identifying the risk factors associated with AF is vital to facilitate the development of innovative pharmaceutical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxuan Chu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xia Guo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hanchi Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shipeng Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiahuan He
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yushi Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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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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Qiu X, Teng J, Wang N, Cao L, Cheng C, Su C, Dong Y, Wang F, Chen W. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the potential crosstalk genes and immune relationship between Crohn's disease and atrial fibrillation. J Thorac Dis 2024; 16:1247-1261. [PMID: 38505024 PMCID: PMC10944785 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Background At present, there is a paucity of research on the link between Crohn's disease (CD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, both ailments are thought to entail inflammatory and autoimmune processes, and emerging evidence indicates that individuals with CD may face an elevated risk of AF. To shed light on this issue, our study seeks to explore the possibility of shared genes, pathways, and immune cells between these two conditions. Methods We retrieved the gene expression profiles of both CD and AF from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and subjected them to analysis. Afterward, we utilized the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify shared genes, which were then subjected to further Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, we employed a rigorous analytical approach by screening hub genes through both least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and support vector machine (SVM), and subsequently constructing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on the screening outcomes. Finally, we utilized single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to comprehensively evaluate the levels of infiltration of 28 immune cells within the expression profile and their potential association with the shared hub genes. Results Using the WGCNA method, we identified 30 genes that appear to be involved in the pathological progression of both AF and CD. Through GO enrichment analysis on the key gene modules derived from WGCNA, we observed a significant enrichment of pathways related to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and antigen processing. By leveraging the intersection of LASSO and SVM algorithms, we were able to pinpoint two overlapping genes, namely CXCL16 and HLA-DPB1. Additionally, we evaluated the infiltration of immune cells and observed the upregulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as dendritic cells in patients with AF and CD. Conclusions By employing bioinformatics tools, we conducted an investigation with the objective of elucidating the genetic foundations that connect AF and CD. This study culminated in the identification of CXCL16 and HLA-DPB1 as the most substantial genes implicated in the development of both disorders. Our findings suggest that the immune responses mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, along with dendritic cells, may hold a crucial role in the intricate interplay between AF and CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Qiu
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Junlin Teng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ning Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Luying Cao
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Congyi Cheng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cong Su
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Youran Dong
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenqiang Chen
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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He T, Muhetaer M, Wu J, Wan J, Hu Y, Zhang T, Wang Y, Wang Q, Cai H, Lu Z. Immune Cell Infiltration Analysis Based on Bioinformatics Reveals Novel Biomarkers of Coronary Artery Disease. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:3169-3184. [PMID: 37525634 PMCID: PMC10387251 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s416329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial immune disease, but research into the specific immune mechanism is still needed. The present study aimed to identify novel immune-related markers of CAD. Methods Three CAD-related datasets (GSE12288, GSE98583, GSE113079) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Integrated Database. Gene ontology annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were performed on the common significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of these three data sets, and the most relevant module genes for CAD obtained. The immune cell infiltration of module genes was evaluated with the CIBERSORT algorithm, and characteristic genes accompanied by their diagnostic effectiveness were screened by the machine-learning algorithm least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The expression levels of characteristic genes were evaluated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CAD patients and healthy controls for verification. Results A total of 204 upregulated and 339 downregulated DEGs were identified, which were mainly enriched in the following pathways: "Apoptosis", "Th17 cell differentiation", "Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation", "Glycerolipid metabolism", and "Fat digestion and absorption". Five characteristic genes, LMAN1L, DOK4, CHFR, CEL and CCDC28A, were identified by LASSO analysis, and the results of the immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that the proportion of immune infiltrating cells (activated CD8 T cells and CD56 DIM natural killer cells) in the CAD group was lower than that in the control group. The expressions of CHFR, CEL and CCDC28A in the peripheral blood of the healthy controls and CAD patients were significantly different. Conclusion We identified CHFR, CEL and CCDC28A as potential biomarkers related to immune infiltration in CAD based on public data sets and clinical samples. This finding will contribute to providing a potential target for early noninvasive diagnosis and immunotherapy of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianwen He
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Muheremu Muhetaer
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiahe Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Wan
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yushuang Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunxiang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiongxin Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanhuan Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhibing Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Myocardial Injury and Repair, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
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Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction and Microbial Translocation in Patients with First-Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010176. [PMID: 36672684 PMCID: PMC9856173 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the leaky gut concept, microbial products (e.g., lipopolysaccharide, LPS) enter the circulation and mediate pro-inflammatory immunological responses. Higher plasma LPS levels have been reported in patients with various cardiovascular diseases, but not specifically during early atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS We studied data and blood samples from patients presenting with first-diagnosed AF (FDAF) (n = 80) and 20 controls. RESULTS Circulating biomarkers that are suggestive of mucosal inflammation (zonulin, mucosal adhesion molecule MAdCAM-1) and intestinal epithelium damage (intestinal fatty acid binding protein, IFABP) were increased in the plasma of patients with FDAF when compared to patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases but without AF. Surrogate plasma markers of increased intestinal permeability (LPS, CD14, LPS-binding protein, gut-derived LPS-neutralising IgA antibodies, EndoCAbs) were detected during early AF. A reduced ratio of IgG/IgM EndoCAbs titres indicated chronic endotoxaemia. Collagen turnover biomarkers, which corresponded to the LPS values, suggested an association of gut-derived low-grade endotoxaemia with adverse structural remodelling. The LPS concentrations were higher in FDAF patients who experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal barrier dysfunction and microbial translocation accompany FDAF. Improving gut permeability and low-grade endotoxaemia might be a potential therapeutic approach to reducing the disease progression and cardiovascular complications in FDAF.
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