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ABSTRACT: Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently associated with enhanced inflammatory response. The NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain containing protein 3) inflammasome mediates caspase-1 activation and interleukin-1β release in immune cells but is not known to play a role in cardiomyocytes (CMs). Here, we assessed the role of CM NLRP3 inflammasome in AF.Methods
NLRP3 inflammasome activation was assessed by immunoblot in atrial whole-tissue lysates and CMs from patients with paroxysmal AF or long-standing persistent (chronic) AF. To determine whether CM-specific activation of NLPR3 is sufficient to promote AF, a CM-specific knockin mouse model expressing constitutively active NLRP3 (CM-KI) was established. In vivo electrophysiology was used to assess atrial arrhythmia vulnerability. To evaluate the mechanism of AF, electric activation pattern, Ca2+ spark frequency, atrial effective refractory period, and morphology of atria were evaluated in CM-KI mice and wild-type littermates.Results
NLRP3 inflammasome activity was increased in the atrial CMs of patients with paroxysmal AF and chronic AF. CM-KI mice developed spontaneous premature atrial contractions and inducible AF, which was attenuated by a specific NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, MCC950. CM-KI mice exhibited ectopic activity, abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, atrial effective refractory period shortening, and atrial hypertrophy. Adeno-associated virus subtype-9-mediated CM-specific knockdown of Nlrp3 suppressed AF development in CM-KI mice. Finally, genetic inhibition of Nlrp3 prevented AF development in CREM transgenic mice, a well-characterized mouse model of spontaneous AF.Conclusions
Our study establishes a novel pathophysiological role for CM NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, with a mechanistic link to the pathogenesis of AF, and establishes the inhibition of NLRP3 as a potential novel AF therapy approach.
SUBMITTER: Yao C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6252285 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Yao Chunxia C Veleva Tina T Scott Larry L Cao Shuyi S Li Luge L Chen Gong G Jeyabal Prince P Pan Xiaolu X Alsina Katherina M KM Abu-Taha Issam I Ghezelbash Shokoufeh S Reynolds Corey L CL Shen Ying H YH LeMaire Scott A SA Schmitz Wilhelm W Müller Frank U FU El-Armouche Ali A Tony Eissa N N Beeton Christine C Nattel Stanley S Wehrens Xander H T XHT Dobrev Dobromir D Li Na N
Circulation 20181101 20
<h4>Background</h4>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently associated with enhanced inflammatory response. The NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain containing protein 3) inflammasome mediates caspase-1 activation and interleukin-1β release in immune cells but is not known to play a role in cardiomyocytes (CMs). Here, we assessed the role of CM NLRP3 inflammasome in AF.<h4>Methods</h4>NLRP3 inflammasome activation was assessed by immunoblot in atrial whole-tissue lysates and CMs from patients with pa ...[more]