[Collagen type I and interleukin-1 beta gene expression in human atria during atrial fibrillation].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether gene expression of collagen type I and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) is altered in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).


METHODS
Right atrial tissue samples were taken from 75 patients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent heart valve replacement surgery. 34 patients had no history of AF, 11 patients had paroxysmal AF and 30 patients had persistent AF. The mRNA content of collagen type I and IL-1beta was measured with semi-quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The mRNA content of collagen type I was significantly increased in the persistent AF group (P < 0.001) and increased in the paroxysmal AF group (P < 0.05) as compared with that in the sinus rhythm group. The mRNA content of IL-1beta was up-regulated in the persistent AF group (P < 0.05), but the trend of increase did not reach statistical significance in the paroxysmal AF group (P > 0.05). The mRNA content of IL-1beta was significantly correlated with the mRNA content of collagen type I (r = 0.295, P = 0.011), left atrial dimension (r = 0.385, P = 0.001) and AF duration (r = 0.326, P = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
The upregulation of IL-1beta gene expression in atrium may contribute to the atrial fibrosis during AF through influencing collagen metabolism.
Wu
Wei
W
Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Provincial Research Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuzhou 350001, China. wuwei9925@sina.com
Ke
Dan
D
Xu
Chun-xuan
CX
Deng
Yu-lian
YL
Chen
Lin
L
Zhang
Jian-cheng
JC
Lin
Ya-zhou
YZ
Hu
Xi-zhong
XZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery
D024042:Collagen Type I; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger