Rs12976445 Polymorphism Is Associated with Post-Ablation Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation by Modulating the Expression of MicroRNA-125a and Interleukin-6R.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify the relationship between miR-125a polymorphism rs12976445 and the post-ablation recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as to explore the underlying mechanism of miR-125a in AF recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS Microarray analysis was performed to search for miRNAs potentially involved in the regulation of AF recurrence, while real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and Western blot analyses were carried out to study the expression of miR-125a (microRNA-125a), IL-6R (interleukin-6 receptor), and IL-16 (interleukin-16) in different experimental groups, so as to understand the regulatory relationships among miR-125a, IL-6R, and IL-16. Subsequently, a logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the survival status of recurrent AF in subjects harboring different genotypes of rs12976445. RESULTS The subjects in the GG and GC/CC groups of miR-125a polymorphism rs12976445 showed no obvious difference regarding all demographic characteristics that were collected in this study. In addition, 19 miRNAs were identified as potentially involved in the regulation of AF recurrence. Among these miRNAs, 6 were upregulated and 13 were downregulated in the group with early recurrence. According to real-time PCR results, the expression of miR-125a was dramatically upregulated in LRAF (late recurrence of atrial fibrillation) as well as in subjects harboring the GG genotype. On the contrary, the level of IL-6R mRNA was dramatically downregulated in LRAF and subjects harboring the GG genotype. Furthermore, IL-6R was confirmed as a candidate target of miR-125a by a luciferase reporter assay. CONCLUSIONS MicroRNA-125a polymorphism rs12976445 plays a role in AF recurrence via the regulation of IL-6R.

Coronary CT angiography and serum biomarkers are potential biomarkers for predicting MACE at three-months and one-year follow-up.

AIMS: To assess the prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and serum biomarkers for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at three-month and one-year follow-ups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 720 patients with acute chest pain and normal electrocardiography (ECG) were included in the prospective cohort study. These patients received both coronary CTA screening and serum biomarkers testing, followed by three-month and one-year follow-ups for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The primary outcome was the occurrence of MACE, which is defined as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), nonfatal MI, and all-cause mortality. The MACE rate was 17.8% (128 cases) and 25.2% (182 cases) at three-months and one-year follow-up. ApoB/apoA1(OR = 7.45, P < 0.001) and the number of atherosclerotic vessels (OR = 2.86, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for MACE at the three-month follow-up, so were apoB/apoA1 (OR = 5.23, P = 0.003), Serum amyloid protein A (SAA, OR = 1.04, P < 0.001) and the number of atherosclerotic vessels (OR = 2.54, P < 0.001) at the one-year follow-up. While apoB/apoA1 suggested its sensitivities of 84% for predicting MACE at three-month follow-ups, the number of atherosclerotic vessels had 81% specificity at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with acute chest pain and normal ECG, apoB/apoA1, SAA and the number of atherosclerotic vessels are the most powerful predictors of MACE at three-month and one-year follow-ups.