Cross-talk between macrophages and atrial myocytes in atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT: Increased macrophage accumulation occurs in the atria of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the phenotype and functions of the macrophages in AF remain unclear. We investigated the macrophage-atrial myocyte interaction in AF patients and found that the increased macrophages were mainly pro-inflammatory macrophages (iNOS⁺, Arg1^-). Tachypacing of HL-1 atrial myocytes also led to pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated pro-inflammatory macrophages-induced atrial electrical remodeling, evidenced by increased AF incidence and decreased atrial effective refractory period and L-type calcium currents (I _Ca-L) in both canine and mouse AF models. Depletion of macrophages relieved LPS-induced atrial elec

SUBMITTER: Sun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5033992 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature