MPO、MMP-2和MMP-9在兔房颤模型心房肌中的表达变化

目的:观察兔房颤模型心房肌组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2和MMP-9的表达,并探讨三者与房颤时心房结构重构的关系。方法:20只新西兰大白兔,开胸后于左心房植入起搏电极,随机分为2组:快速心房起搏组(RAP组)以600 min-1的频率快速起搏心房3周;假手术组(sham组)不予起搏。起搏前、后行超声心动图检查评价心房和心室的结构和功能,行心房burst刺激检测房颤诱发率;起搏后采用Masson染色评价心房的间质纤维化程度,采用RT-q PCR和Western blot检测心房MPO、MMP-2和MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。结果:起搏3周后,与sham组相比,RAP组兔左心房明显扩张伴收缩功能障碍,左心室的结构和功能变化不明显;RAP组房颤诱发率和间质纤维化百分比均明显增加,且心房MPO、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白的表达明显增加。结论:持续快速心房起搏兔房颤模型会出现明显心房结构重构,心房MPO、MMP-2和MMP-9表达上调可能是其潜在的分子机制。     

钙激活蛋白酶系统与慢性房颤犬心房重构关系的研究

目的： 探讨慢性房颤犬心房肌钙激活蛋白酶（calpain）系统表达水平的改变及其与心房重构的相关性。方法： 17只杂种犬随机分为心房颤动组（11只）和对照组（6只），于起搏前后均进行经胸超声心动图检查，测量舒张期左房内径。房颤组经颈外静脉将电极置入右心耳快速起搏（400 beats/min）8周复制房颤模型，开胸取心房组织，测定心房肌Ca2+浓度，用荧光实时定量PCR和Western blotting技术检测calpain及其抑制剂calpastatin mRNA和蛋白的表达量。结果： 房颤组心房肌Ca2+浓度升高，左房内径显著大于起搏前及对照组(P<0.05)，房颤组和对照组比较犬心房肌calpainⅠ、calpainⅡmRNA表达无显著差异(P＞0.05)，房颤组calpastatin mRNA表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05)；房颤组calpainⅠ、calpainⅡ蛋白表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05)，calpastatin蛋白表达明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。CalpainⅠ、calpainⅡ蛋白表达水平与左房内径呈显著正相关(r=0.53，r=0.67,P<0.05)，calpastatin蛋白表达水平与左房内径呈显著负相关(r=-0.74，P<0.05)。结论： 房颤所引起calpain系统的蛋白表达改变，使calpain/calpastatin系统相互间作用失衡，造成多种蛋白被降解可能是心房重构的重要机制。     

阿托伐他汀对慢性兔房颤模型心房电重构的影响

目的:通过快速起搏心房3周建立慢性兔房颤模型,探讨阿托伐他汀(ATO)对该模型心房电重构的影响及其可能机制。方法:将24只新西兰大白兔开胸,于左心房植入起搏和测试电极,随机分为3组:模型(model)组和ATO组持续心房起搏3周,分别给予安慰剂和阿托伐他汀2.5 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)灌胃;假手术(sham)组不起搏,不给药。起搏前后用电生理刺激仪检测心率、P波宽度、心房有效不应期(AERP)和房颤诱发率的变化;起搏后采用Western blot检测心房Cav1.2、Kv4.3和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的蛋白表达水平。结果:Sham组、model组和ATO组分别有0、5和4只兔诱发持续性房颤。起搏3周后,与sham组相比,model组和ATO组兔心率和P波宽度均增加,AERP缩短(P0.05);ATO组与model组相比,AERP增加(P0.05),心率和P波宽度无明显变化。与sham组相比,model组和ATO组兔心房Cav1.2和Kv4.3的蛋白表达水平下降,MPO的蛋白表达水平升高(P0.05);ATO组与model组相比,Cav1.2的表达增加,MPO的表达下降(P0.05),Kv4.3无明显变化。结论:阿托伐他汀能够通过抑制慢性兔房颤模型心房Cav1.2蛋白表达下降和AERP的缩短,抑制心房电重构,其潜在机制可能是阿托伐他汀抑制了心房MPO蛋白的高表达。     

激活的细胞外调节激酶及磷酸酶在房颤中的作用研究

目的:研究心房颤动患者心房肌细胞外调节激酶及磷酸酶基因表达的改变,探讨房颤发生时细胞信号转导途径的变化。方法:30例接受开胸手术者(包括房颤20例、窦性心律患者10例),手术时取左心房组织约200mg,采用RT-PCR、Westernblot技术,检测心房肌钙调磷酸酶调节亚单位(calcineurinB)、丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶磷酸酶-1(MKP-1)mRNA表达量,细胞外调节激酶1(ERK1)、磷酸化细胞外调节激酶1(P-ERK1)蛋白表达量的改变。结果:房颤者calcineurinB、MKP-1mRNA、P-ERK1蛋白表达量显著高于窦性心律者,而ERK1蛋白表达无差异。结论:房颤患者心房肌细胞外调节激酶及磷酸酶呈激活状态,可能与心房颤动的发生与维持有关。     

Atrial expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in patients with and without atrial fibrillation

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with oxidative stress within the fibrillating atrial myocardium. Experimental studies suggest that reduced levels of nitric oxide (NO) caused by down-regulation of the NO synthase (eNOS) contribute to the development of prothrombotic endocardial remodeling in AF. This study was designed to determine the endocardial expression of eNOS in atrial tissue samples from patients with and without AF.MethodsTissue microarrays were used to analyze right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 234 patients (38 with AF; 196 with sinus rhythm) for differences in atrial eNOS expression. In selected patients, immunohistological results were confirmed by Western blotting.ResultsImmunohistochemical analyses showed that eNOS is expressed by endocardial cells and myocytes. However, endocardial expression of eNOS was not independently related to AF per se. There was no difference between paroxysmal and persistent AF. Clinical factors like gender (P=.05) and coronary artery disease (P=.06) were associated with down-regulation of eNOS. Interestingly, diabetes mellitus (P=.02) was associated with an up-regulation of endocardial eNOS, whereas other risk factors for thromboembolic events did not influence eNOS levels. Multivariable analysis showed that eNOS expression is influenced by interactions between diabetes mellitus and AF (P=.09) as well as by interactions between gender and AF (P=.04). Lowest levels of eNOS were found in women with AF.ConclusionAF does not independently effect atrial eNOS expression in humans. Due to the nonuniform regulation of endocardial eNOS expression, it appears unlikely that down-regulation of eNOS is a final common pathway for the development of prothrombotic endocardial remodeling, since classical risk factors for thromboembolic events do not reduce endocardial eNOS protein.     

缝隙连接蛋白43通过调控L型钙电流参与心房肌细胞的电重塑

目的:观察缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)是否通过与L型钙通道共定位,调控L型钙电流,参与房颤(AF)的发病机制。方法:使用蛋白免疫印迹和实时荧光定量PCR检测AF和窦性心律患者心房组织中Cx43的蛋白和mRNA表达差异;用RNA干扰技术沉默心房肌细胞的Cx43表达,实时荧光定量PCR和全细胞膜片钳实验观察对L型钙通道mRNA表达和L型钙电流的影响;免疫共沉淀和激光共聚焦显微成像观察心房肌细胞中Cx43与L型钙通道是否存在共定位。结果:AF患者心房组织中的Cx43表达明显低于窦性心律患者;干扰Cx43表达可明显抑制L型钙电流和L型钙通道α1c亚基的mRNA表达;且心房肌细胞中Cx43与L型钙通道存在共定位。结论:心房肌细胞中的Cx43可通过与L型钙通道形成分子复合物,调控L型钙电流,参与心房肌细胞的电重塑。     

螺内酯对高甲状腺素诱导的兔心房颤动和心房重构的影响

目的:探讨螺内酯对高甲状腺素诱导的兔心房颤动(AF)和心房重构的影响。方法:新西兰兔33只随机分为3组:正常对照组(C)、高甲状腺素组(H)和螺内酯组(S)。H和S组腹腔注射甲状腺素4周建立兔甲亢性AF模型,之后,S组给予螺内酯灌胃2周。给药结束后,通过心内电生理高频刺激诱发AF,计算AF诱发率,测量心房有效不应期(AERP)。荧光定量PCR测定L型钙通道亚基(Cav1.2)、钾通道相关亚基(Kv1.5、Kv4.3)和缝隙连接蛋白(Cx40、Cx43)的mRNA表达,Western blot和免疫组化测定上述指标的蛋白表达。结果:螺内酯降低AF诱发率。H组和S组的AERP无明显差异(P0.05)。S组Cav1.2蛋白表达水平明显高于H组(P0.05)。S组Kv1.5的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均明显低于H组(P0.05),S组Kv4.3的蛋白表达水平显著低于H组(P0.05)。S组Cx43的mRNA表达水平明显低于H组(P0.01),S组Cx40的蛋白表达水平显著低于H组(P0.05)。结论:螺内酯可降低高甲状腺素所致的AF诱发率,改善其引起的心房重构。     

慢性心房颤动对人心房肌钙/钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ表达的影响

目的：探讨慢性心房颤动(房颤)对人心房肌细胞内游离Ca2+浓度及心肌组织钙/钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ)表达的影响。 方法: 用激光共聚焦显微镜技术，对急性分离的慢性风湿性心脏病伴慢性房颤或窦性心律患者的心房肌细胞内游离Ca2+浓度进行测定，同时用Western blotting法检测心房肌组织CaMKⅡ表达的变化。 结果: 慢性风湿性心脏病伴慢性房颤患者心房肌细胞内游离Ca2+浓度显著高于窦性心律患者［(276.38±38.12）nmol/L vs （122.28±45.63)nmol/L, P<0.05］。慢性风湿性心脏病伴慢性房颤患者心房肌CaMKⅡ的表达明显强于窦性心律患者（10.14±0.31 vs 6.86±0.89， P<0.05）。 结论: 慢性房颤患者心房肌细胞内存在钙超载，Ca2+/CaMKⅡ信号转导途径可能是维持慢性房颤重要的病理生理基础之一。     

心房纤颤模型犬心房组织基质金属蛋白酶9及组织抑制因子1与纤维化的关系***

背景：基质金属蛋白酶及其组织抑制因子在心房组织中的相互作用及动态平衡与心房纤颤的发生及维持密切相关。 目的：构建持续性心房纤颤犬模型,观察其心房肌组织基质金属蛋白酶9及其组织抑制因子1的基因表达与心房纤颤及心肌纤维化的关系。 方法：采用慢性快速心房起搏诱发持续性心房纤颤犬模型,并设置假手术组。通过Masson三色法染色计算胶原容积分数来评估纤维化程度,左心房心肌基质金属蛋白酶9及组织抑制因子1的mRNA水平表达使用反转录聚合酶联反应检测,其蛋白水平表达通过蛋白质印迹法测定。 结果与结论：与假手术组相比,持续性心房纤颤模型组心房肌纤维化程度明显增高,胶原容积分数明显增加(P < 0.01),且基质金属蛋白酶9 mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显增加(P < 0.01),组织抑制因子1的mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显下降        (P < 0.01)。结果证实,心房纤颤心房组织中基质金属蛋白酶9/组织抑制因子1基因表达的调控失衡以及基质金属蛋白酶9活性的增高与组织抑制因子1活性降低可能是影响胶原代谢、促进或抑制心肌纤维化,造成心房纤颤时心房结构重构的分子机制之一。     

高频起搏犬房颤模型心房重塑及窦房结和房室结功能的变化

 目的:持续高频起搏犬左心房,观察房颤(AF)发生率、心房重塑以及窦房结、房室结传导功能。方法: 健康比格犬15只随机分为起搏组(P组,n=9)和对照组(N组,n=6)。2组均在左心房心外膜缝合固定一起搏电极,P组以400 min-1的频率起搏,N组不起搏。采用程序起搏技术测定电生理参数。结果: (1) 4周后P组阵发性AF和持续性AF的诱发率与N组比较差异均有统计学意义（分别P<0.05,P<0.01）,P组第2周2只犬自发AF,第4周AF诱发率达100%,且持续性AF的发生率高。 (2) P组4周后心房有效不应期(AERP)在不同基本起搏周期(250 ms、300 ms和350 ms)时均较N组缩短 (P<0.05);房室结文氏点(AVN-Wen) 较N组有意义延长［(294.44±26.03)min-1 vs (328.33±24.01)min-1, P<0.05］;房室结有效不应期(AVERP)在不同起搏周期均明显延长 (P<0.01)。(3) 与N组比较,P组4周后窦房结恢复时间（SNRT）和校正恢复时间（cSNRT）均延长（P<0.01）;P波时限2组比较差异没有统计学意义(P>0.05)。(4) P组2周后心脏超声与N组比较显示左心房前后、上下、左右径都有明显增大(P<0.01),右心房上下增大(P<0.05)。结论: 持续４周心房高频起搏后房颤发生率高,心房肌、窦房结和房室结电生理发生特征性的相应改变,左、右心房不同程度扩大,提示电重塑、结构重塑与房颤的发生关系密切。     

心房颤动致犬肺静脉肌袖缝隙连接蛋白40表达降低

目的探讨心房颤动时犬肺静脉肌袖缝隙连接蛋白40和43(Cx40,Cx43)基因及蛋白表达的变化及其意义。方法17只杂种犬随机分为心房颤动组(11只)和对照组(6只),房颤组经颈外静脉将电极置入右心耳快速起搏(400次/分)8周复制房颤模型,开胸取右上肺静脉近心房1cm内组织,用荧光实时定量PCR及Western blot技术检测缝隙连接蛋白40和43(Cx40,Cx43)mRNA及蛋白的表达量。结果房颤组和对照组犬肺静脉肌袖组织Cx40和Cx43的mRNA表达无显著性差异,房颤组Cx40蛋白表达明显低于对照组(P<0.05),Cx43蛋白表达无显著性差异。结论房颤可使肺静脉肌袖Cx40蛋白表达降低,缝隙连接发生重构,从而促进房颤的维持和稳定。     

心房颤动患者内向整流性钾电流及Kir2.1 mRNA表达水平的研究

目的：研究心房颤动(房颤，AF)患者心房肌细胞内向整流性钾电流(Ik1)密度及Kir2.1(编码Ik1)mRNA表达水平，初步探讨慢性AF患者心房肌电生理重构机制。方法： 胶原酶Ⅱ两步酶解法分离心房肌细胞，膜片钳全细胞记录法记录离子电流；半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应方法检测心房组织Kir2.1 mRNA表达水平。结果： (1)AF患者心房肌细胞Ik1在超极化状态显著高于窦性心律(SR)组，在膜电位-120 mV时AF组Ik1增加34.04%(P＜0.05)，在-30 mV-+10 mV时其外向电流成分显著增加；(2)以GAPDH为内参标基因，AF组和SR组心房肌Kir2.1 mRNA相对表达量无显著差异(P＜0.05)。结论： AF患者右心房肌细胞Ik1密度在超极化状态显著增加是其电生理重构的重要离子基础之一；AF患者心房肌Kir2.1 mRNA表达水平无显著改变，推测Ik1重构为转录后调节。     

拟交感效应对快速起搏离体心脏心房缝隙连接蛋白43重构的影响

目的:通过建立离体拟交感心房颤动模型,探讨缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)水平的变化。方法:15只杂种犬随机分为3组(每组5只):对照组(control组)、快速心房起搏组(RAP组)和异丙肾上腺素灌流+快速心房起搏组(ISO+RAP组)。经胸骨正中切开术,快速取出心脏,建立心脏Langendorff离体灌流模型。各组分别检测心房有效不应期(AERP)及房颤诱发率,免疫组化检测酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)在细胞内的表达,Western blot检测Cx43和磷酸化Cx43的蛋白含量,免疫荧光检测Cx43在心肌组织的变化,TUNEL法检测心肌细胞凋亡,荧光比色法检测线粒体活性氧簇(ROS)的生成量。结果:与control组比较,RAP组的AERP无明显变化,且仅出现电紊乱,ISO+RAP组的AERP明显缩短(P0.05),并可成功诱发房颤。与control组比较,RAP组和ISO+RAP组的TH表达量、细胞凋亡指数和线粒体ROS生成量均逐渐增多(P0.05),Cx43蛋白表达量和磷酸化水平逐渐减少(P0.05)。免疫荧光显示,与control组相比,RAP组的Cx43荧光强度降低,且呈明显侧链化,ISO+RAP组则呈点状散在分布。结论:交感神经可能通过氧化应激效应,引起Cx43的重构与下调,从而介导心房颤动的发生。     

钙网织蛋白促进心脏瓣膜病患者心房重构

 目的: 明确钙网织蛋白的异常表达与分布能否促进心脏瓣膜病患者心房重构的发生。方法: 从78位进行瓣膜置换手术的患者中获得左右心房的标本。患者被分为窦性节律组、阵发性房颤组和持续性房颤组(房颤持续超过6个月),检测心房组织中钙网织蛋白、整合素α5和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的蛋白表达情况。同时使用免疫共沉淀法测定钙网织蛋白与钙调磷酸酶B及整合素α5的结合情况。结果: 房颤组的钙网织蛋白、整合素α5和TGF-β1的蛋白表达均高于窦性节律组,特别是在二尖瓣疾病患者的左心房中。免疫共沉淀显示钙网织蛋白可以与钙调磷酸酶B和整合素α5结合产生相互作用。整合素α5的表达水平与TGF-β1的表达具有明显相关性,钙网织蛋白表达水平与整合素α5和TGF-β1的表达水平具有明显的相关性。在相同心功能分级情况下,钙网织蛋白的表达水平在持续性房颤组明显高于窦性心律组。结论: 房颤患者心房组织中的钙网织蛋白、整合素α5和TGF-β1表达增高,并与房颤类型有关,这提示钙网织蛋白参与了心脏瓣膜病房颤患者的心房重构。     

Pathophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation: a translational appraisal

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that can occur as the result of numerous different pathophysiological processes in the atria. Some aspects of the morphological and electrophysiological alterations promoting AF have been studied extensively in animal models. Atrial tachycardia or AF itself shortens atrial refractoriness and causes loss of atrial contractility. Aging, neurohumoral activation, and chronic atrial stretch due to structural heart disease activate a variety of signaling pathways leading to histological changes in the atria including myocyte hypertrophy, fibroblast proliferation, and complex alterations of the extracellular matrix including tissue fibrosis. These changes in electrical, contractile, and structural properties of the atria have been called "atrial remodeling." The resulting electrophysiological substrate is characterized by shortening of atrial refractoriness and reentrant wavelength or by local conduction heterogeneities caused by disruption of electrical interconnections between muscle bundles. Under these conditions, ectopic activity originating from the pulmonary veins or other sites is more likely to occur and to trigger longer episodes of AF. Many of these alterations also occur in patients with or at risk for AF, although the direct demonstration of these mechanisms is sometimes challenging. The diversity of etiological factors and electrophysiological mechanisms promoting AF in humans hampers the development of more effective therapy of AF. This review aims to give a translational overview on the biological basis of atrial remodeling and the proarrhythmic mechanisms involved in the fibrillation process. We pay attention to translation of pathophysiological insights gained from in vitro experiments and animal models to patients. Also, suggestions for future research objectives and therapeutical implications are discussed.     

替米沙坦干预心房颤动模型猪的右心房心肌靶蛋白鉴定

目的 研究替米沙坦(TMST)对实验性心房颤动(AF)模型猪的影响,分离并鉴定右心房组织差异表达蛋白.方法 健康家猪18只完全随机法分为3组,每组6只:正常对照(NC)组右心房植入电极不起搏,房颤(AF)组右心房植入电极并快速起搏,替米沙坦(TMST)组右心房植入电极快速起搏并给予TMST干预.实验前及2周后测量各组实验猪心室收缩末期左、右心房面积(LAESA、RAESA).实验结束时进行右房组织Masson染色观察,双向蛋白质电泳分离各组右心房心肌差异表达蛋白质,采用基质辅助激光解吸电离-飞行时间-质谱技术鉴定靶蛋白.结果 AF组采用快速右心房起搏成功建立AF猪模型.与AF组比较,TMST干预可以减少AF诱发率和胶原纤维表达,并使LAESA和RAESA缩小[LAESA:(630.6±10.9)mm2比(744.3±29.9)mm2;RAESA:(553.4±13.7)mm2比(677.9±26.3)mm2,均P＜0.05].双向蛋白质电泳及质谱分析鉴定出翻译起始因子5A、热休克蛋白27、NADH脱氢酶铁硫蛋白8在TMST组表达减少.结论 翻译起始因子5A、热休克蛋白27、NADH脱氢酶铁硫蛋白8可能是与TMST减低实验猪AF诱发率、抑制心房重构相关的靶蛋白.     

Role of Sprouty1 (Spry1) in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrosis

Atrial fibrosis is the hallmark of atrial fibrillation (AF) dependent structure remodeling. Besides, sprouty 1 (Spry1) plays a key role in the process of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated whether Spry1 could regulate TGF-β1 in atrial fibrosis. Ten dogs or patients were assigned to control (n = 4) and AF group (n = 6). The left atrium of dogs or right atrial appendage of patients was taken. After that, cardiac fibroblasts were treated with or without angiotensin II (Ang II). Furthermore, cardiac fibroblasts were transfected with lentivirus of Spry1 over-expression vector, Spry1 shRNA or negative control (NC). And the protein expression of Spry1 and TGF-β1 was analyzed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that TGF-β1 was highly expressed while Spry1 was lowly expressed in the models of human and canine with AF. Besides, the protein expression of TGF-β1 was up-regulated and Spry1 was down-regulated in Ang II stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Furthermore, when Spry1 was knockdown in Ang II-induced cardiac fibroblasts, the cell proliferation and the TGF-β1 protein expression increased significantly, while Spry1 over-expression showed inverse results. Our results demonstrated that Spry1 may target TGF-β1 in regulating fibrosis. These findings may provide possible therapeutic targets in atrial fibrosis.     

Losartan affects the substrate for atrial fibrillation maintenance in a rabbit model

BackgroundAtrial fibrosis causes abnormal conduction through the atria, creating a substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). In a rabbit model, rapid atrial pacing produces significant atrial fibrosis and the substrate for AF maintenance. This atrial remodeling is a potential therapeutic target.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of the losartan on atrial fibrosis.MethodsThirty rabbit AF models were produced by rapid atrial stimulation. They were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, rapid atrial pacing group, and rapid atrial pacing with losartan group. We performed AF vulnerability studies, atrial histologic, and molecular analyses after 4 weeks.ResultsOnly rabbits in the rapid atrial pacing group developed sustained AF (30 min, 4of 10 rabbits). Treatment with losartan resulted in a significant reduction in left atrial fibrosis and AF duration (P<.01). real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated the drug's effects on the expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.ConclusionsThe treatment of losartan results in significantly reduced atrial fibrosis and AF vulnerability. Pharmacological therapy targeted at the fibrotic substrate itself may play an important role in the management of AF.