title: The Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-B/Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-β Signaling in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) signaling in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine AF patients and 33 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. Twenty canines were randomized into 5 groups: control, sham and AF lasting 1, 2 or 4 weeks. The AF canine models were made by rapid atrial pacing. Rat atrial fibroblasts were treated with PDGF-BB or PDGF-BB + PDGFR inhibitor AG1295, respectively. Gene expression in the right atrial appendage of patients, the left atrium of canines and rat atrial fibroblasts was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The degree of atrial fibrosis was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B, PDGFR-β and collagen type I (COL1) in AF patients significantly increased compared to patients with SR. The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B and COL1 in canines increased progressively with the increased duration of AF. The expression of PDGFR-β increased progressively 2 weeks after AF. PDGF-BB promoted the proliferation and COL1 secretion of rat atrial fibroblasts. AG1295 attenuated these effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that PDGF-B/PDGFR-β signaling, which promotes the proliferation and COL1 secretion of atrial fibroblasts, is an important contributor to atrial fibrosis in AF and may represent a novel target for the intervention of AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
authors.forename: Zhiyuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Guoqiang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Yujie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Peizhen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guirong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta