Atrial myocytes-derived exosomal microRNA contributes to atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background Atrial fibrosis plays a critical role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Exosome is a promising cell-free therapeutic approach for the treatment of AF. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying exosomes derived from atrial myocytes regulated atrial remodeling and ask whether their manipulation allows for therapeutic modulation of fibrosis potential abnormalities during AF. MethodsWe isolated exosomes from atrial myocytes and patients serum, microRNA (miRNA) sequencing analyzed the exosomal miRNAs in atrial myocytes-exosomes and patients serum-exosomes. mRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis corroborate the key gene as direct targets of miR-210-3p.ResultsThe miRNAs sequencing analysis identified that miR-210-3p expression significantly increased in exosomes of tachypacing atrial myocytes and serum of AF patients. In vitro, the analysis showed that miR-210-3p inhibitor reversed tachypacing-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis in atrial fibroblasts. Accordingly, KO miR-210-3p could reduce the incidence of AF and ameliorate atrial fibrosis induced by Ang Ⅱ. The mRNA sequencing analysis and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay proved that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like (GPD1L) is the potential target gene of miR-210-3p. The functional analysis suggests that GPD1L regulated atrial fibrosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Besides, silencing GPD1L in atrial fibroblasts induced cells proliferation and these effects could be reversed by PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). Conclusion We demonstrate that atrial myocytes-derived exosomal miR-210-3p promoted the proliferation and collagen synthesis via inhibiting GPD1L in atrial fibroblasts. Preventing pathological crosstalk between atrial myocytes and fibroblasts may as a novel target to improve atrial fibrosis in AF.