ABSTRACT
Objective:
To explore the relevant
gene, signaling pathway for permanent
atrial fibrillation (pAF) occurrence in order to provide the molecular basis of the pathogenesis of pAF.
Methods:
Our
research included in 2 groups pAF group, n=7
patients and
Control group, n=4
healthy subjects with sinus rhythm. Agilent 4x44K microarray was used to analyze the
mRNA in
left atrium for differential
gene expression profile. Based on
Gene Ontology, KEGG and Biocarta databases, differentially expressed
genes were studied for their relevant function and signaling pathway. Furthermore, the
genes with significant differences were verified by
quantitative real time PCR (qRT-
PCR) in pathological specimen from 5 pAF
patients and 5 normal
heart donors.
Results:
The expression profile identified 987 abnormally expressed
genes, 567 of them were down-regulated and 420 were up-regulated. 9
genes with significant differences were verified by qRT-
PCR in pathological specimen and the changes were
similar to microarray; those
genes were closely related to pAF by involving
left atrium fibrosis,
electrical remodeling,
inflammation, cellular stress response,
metabolism and transcription
regulation. GO and Pathway
analysis indicated that down-regulated
genes were mainly involved in
metabolic processes; up-regulated
genes had the effects on cellular stress
response, immune response and
platelet activation.
Conclusion:
Microarray
technology identified some important
genes related to pAF occurrence; such
genes involved in left atrial structural and functional
remodeling via affecting cellular
metabolism,
inflammation,
immune response and thrombogenesis in relevant
patients.