Circulating Mesencephalic Astrocyte-derived Neurot

Circulating Mesencephalic Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor Negatively Correlates with Atrial Apoptosis in Human Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

Wang, C.; Yu, S.; Bao, Q.; Qiang, W.; Wu, C.; Zhang, C.; Jiang, Y.; Cai, Y.; Huang, D.; Chen, Y.; Hou, C.; Wang, D.

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2019:

2019

Atrial apoptosis has been found to be majorly involved in the pathogenesis of human atrial fibrillation (AF). Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) exerts an anti-apoptotic effect for multiple cell types. However, the correlation between MANF and atrial apoptosis in AF is still undefined. In this study, 59 patients with valvular or congenital heart disease were divided into two groups: AF group and sinus rhythm (SR) group. We found the apoptotic atrial myocytes in right atrial appendage (RAA) tissues of AF group were significantly more than that of SR group, whereas mRNA and protein levels of MANF in AF group were significantly down-regulated compared with that in SR group. The serum MANF in patients with AF was markedly lower than that in patients with SR, which was inversely correlated with atrial apoptosis in patients with AF. In addition, AF group had the greater inflammation and ER stress compared with SR group. These findings suggest that MANF down-regulation may lead to more atrial apoptosis in human chronic AF, indicating MANF as a potential therapeutic agent in AF treatment.