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Reduced left atrial cardiomyocyte PITX2 and elevated circulating BMP10 predict atrial fibrillation after ablation

ABSTRACT: Background: Genomic and experimental studies suggest a role for PITX2 in atrial fibrillation (AF). To assess whether this association is relevant for recurrent AF in patients, we tested whether left atrial PITX2 affects recurrent AF after AF ablation. Methods: mRNA concentrations of PITX2 and its cardiac isoform, PITX2c, were quantified in left atrial appendages (LAA) from patients undergoing thoracoscopic AF ablation, either in whole LAA tissue (n=83) or in LAA cardiomyocytes (n=52), and combined with clinical parameters to predict AF recurrence. Literature suggests bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10) as a PITX2-repressed, atrial-specific, secreted protein. BMP10 plasma concentrations were combined with eleven cardiovascular biomarkers and clinical parameters to predict recurrent AF after catheter ablation in 359 patients. Results: Reduced cardiomyocyte PITX2 concentrations, but not whole LAA tissue PITX2, were associated with AF recurrence after thoracoscopic AF ablation (16% decreased recurrence per 2-(ΔΔCt) increase in PITX2). RNA sequencing, qPCR and Western blotting confirmed BMP10 as one of most PITX2-repressed atrial genes. Left atrial size (hazard ratio per mm increase, HR [95%CI] 1.055 [1.028, 1.082], non-paroxysmal AF (HR 1.672 [1.206, 2.318]) and elevated BMP10 (HR 1.339 [CI 1.159, 1.546] per quartile increase) were predictive of recurrent AF. BMP10 outperformed eleven other cardiovascular biomarkers in predicting recurrent AF. Conclusions: Reduced left atrial cardiomyocyte PITX2 and elevated plasma concentrations of the PITX2-repressed, secreted, atrial protein BMP10 identify patients at risk of recurrent AF after ablation.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE152181 | GEO | 2020/06/19

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Rationale: The most significantly associated atrial fibrillation (AF) risk loci in humans map to a noncoding gene desert upstream of the evolutionarily conserved left-right (LR) transcription factor Pitx2, a master regulator of LR asymmetric organ development. Pitx2 dosage is fundamentally linked to the development of sinus node dysfunction (SND) and AF, the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting adults, but the mechanistic basis for this remains obscure. We identified a conserved long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Playrr, which is exclusively transcribed on the embryo’s right side, opposite to Pitx2 on the left, that participates in mutually antagonistic transcriptional regulation with Pitx2. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate a role of Playrr in regulating Pitx2 transcription and protecting against the development of cardiac rhythm disturbances. Methods and Results: Playrr expression in the developing heart was analyzed with RNA in situ hybridization. Playrr was expressed asymmetrically (on the right) to Pitx2 (on the left) in developing mouse embryos, including in mouse embryonic sinoatrial node cells. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mice to target Playrr, generating mice lacking Playrr RNA transcript (PlayrrEx1sj allele). Using qRT-PCR we detected upregulation of the cardiac isoform, Pitx2c, during visceral organ morphogenesis in PlayrrEx1sj mutant embryos. Surface ECG (AliveCor®) and 24-hour telemetry ECG detected bradycardia and irregular interbeat (R-R) intervals suggestive of SND in PlayrrEx1sj mutant adults. Programmed stimulation of PlayrrEx1sj mutant adults resulted in pacing-induced AF. Within the right atrium of PlayrrEx1sj mutant hearts, Masson’s trichrome stain revealed increased collagen deposition indicative of fibrosis, and immunofluorescence demonstrated mis-localization of Connexin 43 in atrial cardiomyocytes. These findings suggested an altered atrial substrate in PlayrrEx1sj adult mice. Finally, transcriptomic analysis by chromatin run-on and sequencing (ChRO-seq) in atria of PlayrrEx1sj mutant mice compared to wild type controls revealed differential expression of genes involved in cell-cell adhesion and motility, fibrosis, and dysregulation of the key cardiac genes Tbx5 and Hcn1. Conclusions: Adult mice lacking functional Playrr lncRNA transcript have baseline bradyarrhythmia and increased susceptibility to AF. These cardiac phenotypes are similar to those observed in Pitx2 heterozygous mice. Interactions between Pitx2 and Playrr may provide a genetic mechanism for modulating Pitx2 dosage and susceptibility to SND and AF.

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Reduced left atrial cardiomyocyte PITX2 and elevated circulating BMP10 predict atrial fibrillation after ablation

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