Bioinformatics Analysis on lncRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles for Novel Biological Features of Valvular Heart Disease with Atrial Fibrillation

The biological features of the valvular heart disease with atrial fibrillation(AF-VHD)remain unknown when involving long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs).This study performed system analysis on lncRNA and messenger RNA(mRNA)expression profiles constructed by using bioinformatics methods and tools for biological features of AF-VHD.Fold change and t-test were used to identify differentially expressed(DE)lncRNAs and mRNAs.The enrichment analysis of DE mRNAs was performed.The subgroups formed by lncRNAs and nearby mRNAs were screened,and a transcriptional regulation network among lncRNAs,mRNAs,and transcription factors(TFs)was constructed.The interactions between mRNAs related to lncRNAs and drugs were predicted.The 620 AF-VHDrelated DE lncRNAs and 452 DE mRNAs were identified.The 3 lncRNA subgroups were screened.The 665 regulations mediated by lncRNAs and TFs were identified.The 9 mRNAs related to lncRNAs had 1 or more potential drug interactions,totaling 37 drugs.Of these,9 drugs targeting 3 genes are already known to be able to control or trigger atrial fibrillation(AF)or other cardiac arrhythmias.The found biological features of AF-VHD provide foundations for further biological experiments to better understand the roles of lncRNAs in development from the valvular heart disease(VHD)to AF-VHD.

Gene Expression of Atrial Calcium - Handling Proteins in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease and Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives To investigate the gene expression of calcium - handling proteins in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) . Methods A total of 50 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease were included. According to cardiac rhythm and duration of episode of AF, patients were divided into four groups: sinus rhythm group, paroxysmal AF group, persistent AF for less than 6 months group and persistent AF for more than 6 months group. Atrial tissue was obtained from the right atrial appendage, the right atrial free wall and the left atrial appendage respectively during open heart surgery. Total RNA was isolated and reversly transcribed into cDNA. In a semi - quantitative polymerase chain reaction the cDNA of interest and of glyceralde-hyde3 - phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were amplified and separated by ethidium bromide - stained gel electrophoresis. Multiple liner regress was used for correlation between the mRNA amount and age, sex, right atrial diameter (RAd) and left atrial diameter (LAd) . Results The mRNA of L - type calcium channeled subunit, of Ca2+ - ATPase and of ryanodine receptor in patients with persistent AF for more than 6 months were significantly decreased ( P all < 0. 01) . But no alterations of the mRNA levels for SR phos-pholamban and calsequestrin were observed in patients with persistent AF for more than 6 months compared with patients with sinus rhythm, paroxysmal AF and persistent AF for less than 6 months ( P all > 0. 05) . There was no difference of the gene expression among the three atrial tissue sampling sites (P all > 0. 05) . Age, gender, RAd and LAd had no significant effects on the gene expression of calcium - handling proteins (P all>0. 05). Conclusions The mRNA expression of calcium - handling proteins is down - regulated only in patients with RHD and long - term persistent AF. Such abnormalities may be related to the initiation and/or perpetuation of AF in the patients with RHD.

Atrial fibrillation and rheumatic valvular heart disease:usefulness of very-low-dose amiodarone

Atrial fibrillation （AF） is frequently associated with rheumatic valvular heart disease （RVHD）. AF leads to systemic thromboembolic complications, reduced quality of life （QOL）, impaired ventricular function and also increased mortality. Multivariate analysis of results from a population-based study has shown that valvular heart disease is one of risk factors for development of AF.1 The frequency of RVHD has decreased in developed countries in recent years, but RVHD now constitutes a significant population for the cardiology services in developing countries.