Comparison of expression of connexin in right atrial myocardium in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation versus those in sinus rhythm

被引:105
作者
Nao, T
Ohkusa, T
Hisamatsu, Y
Inoue, N
Matsumoto, T
Yamada, J
Shimizu, A
Yoshiga, Y
Yamagata, T
Kobayashi, S
Yano, M
Hamano, K
Matsuzaki, M
机构
[1] Yamaguchi Univ, Grad Sch Med, Dept Med Bioregulat, Div Cardiovasc Med, Ube, Yamaguchi 7558505, Japan
[2] Yamaguchi Univ, Grad Sch Med, Dept Med Bioregulat, Div Cardiovasc Surg, Ube, Yamaguchi 7558505, Japan
关键词
D O I
10.1016/S0002-9149(02)03403-3
中图分类号
R5 [内科学];
学科分类号
1002 ; 100201 ;
摘要
An abnormal distribution of the gap junction occurs in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). There are conflicting data regarding changes in connexins (Cxs) in experimental models of AF. We examined whether patients with chronic AF have alterations in atrial Cxs. We analyzed the expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in the right atrial myocardium from 10 patients with mitral valvular disease (MVD) who had AF (MVD/AF), 10 patients with MVD who were in normal sinus rhythm (MVD/NSR), and 10 control patients in NSR (tissue obtained during corionary artery bypass surgery). Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data were obtained before surgery, and an electrophysiologic examination was performed during the operation. An immunohistochemical study was performed on atrial tissue. The relative expression level of Cx40 protein was significantly lower in MVD/AF patients (6.5 +/- 4.6) than in either MVD/NSR patients (17.7 +/- 8.9, p <0.05) or controls (24.7 +/- 11.1, p < 0.01). The relative expression level of Cx40 messenger ribonucleic acid was also significantly lower in MVD/AF patients (0.23 +/- 0.13) than in MVD/NSR patients (0.47 +/- 0.26, p <0.01) or controls (0.47 +/- 0.17, p <0.01). For Cx43 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid, there was no significant difference in relative expression levels among the 3 groups Interestingly, the level of serine-phosphorylated Cx40 was similar to52% greater in MVD/AF patients than in controls. In MVD/AF patients, the immunoreactive signal of Cx40 was significantly lower than in controls. There was no significant difference in the connective tissue-volume fraction among the groups. Thus, downregulation of Cx40 and abnormal phosphorylation of Cx40 may result in abnormal cell-to-cell communication and alteration in the electrophysiologic properties of the atrium, leading to the initiation and/or perpetuation of AF. (C) 2003 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.
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页码:678 / 683
页数:6
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