Da S A, Jng D A, de Oliveira K M, et al. Circulating miRNAs in acute new-onset atrial fibrillation and their target mRNA network[J]. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, 2018.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), acting on development and progression. Our pilot study investigated the expression of six miRNAs and their miRNA-mRNA interactions in patients with acute new-onset AF, well- controlled AF, and normal sinus rhythm (controls).  

Methods and results: Plasma of acute new-onset AF patients (n=5) was collected in the emergency room when patients presented with irregular and fast-atrial fibrillation rhythm. Samples from well-controlled AF (n=16) and control (n=15) patients were collected during medical appointments following an ECG. Expression of miR-21, miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-    150, miR-328, and miR-499 was analyzed by real-time PCR. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis  and the TargetScan database identified the top 30 mRNA targets of these miRNA, seeking  the miRNA mRNA interactions in cardiovascular process. Increased expression of miR-133b (1.4-fold), miR-328 (2.0-fold), and miR-499 (2.3-fold) was observed in patients with acute new-onset AF, compared with well-controlled AF and control patients. Decreased expression of miR-21 was seen in patients with well-controlled AF compared to those with acute new- onset AF and controls (0.6-fold). The miRNA-mRNA interaction demonstrated that SMAD7 and FASLG genes were the targets of miR-21, miR-133b, and miR-499 and were directly related to AF, being involved in apoptosis and fibrosis.  

Conclusion: The miRNAs had different expression profiles dependent on the AF condition, with higher expression in the acute new-onset AF than well-controlled AF. Clinically, this may contribute to an effective assessment for patients, leading to early detection of AF and monitoring to reduce the risk of other serious cardiovascular events.