Increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation secondary to myocardial fibrosis in transgenic goats expressing transforming growth factor-β1 in the heart

Irina A. Polejaeva, Utah State University
Ravi Ranjan, University of Utah
Christopher J. Davies, Utah State University
Misha Regouski, Utah State University
Justin Hall, Utah State University
Aaron L. Olsen, Utah State University
Qinggang Meng, Utah State University
Heloisa M. Rutigliano, Utah State University
Derek J. Dosdall, University of Utah
Nathan A. Angel, University of Utah
Frank B. Sachse, University of Utah
Thomas Seidel, University of Utah
Aaron J. Thomas, Utah State University
Rusty Stott, Utah State University
Kip E. Panter, USDA ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
Pamela M. Lee, Washington State University
Arnaud J. Van Wettere, Utah State University
John R. Stevens, Utah State University
Zhongde Wang, Utah State University
Rob S. Macleod, University of Utah
Nassir F. Marrouche, University of Utah
Kenneth L. White, Utah State University

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Large animal models of progressive atrial fibrosis would provide an attractive platform to study relationship between structural and electrical remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF). Here we established a new transgenic goat model of AF with cardiac specific overexpression of TGF-β1 and investigated the changes in the cardiac structure and function leading to AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transgenic goats with cardiac specific overexpression of constitutively active TGF-β1 were generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer. We examined myocardial tissue, ECGs, echocardiographic data, and AF susceptibility in transgenic and wild-type control goats. Transgenic goats exhibited significant increase in fibrosis and myocyte diameters in the atria compared to controls, but not in the ventricles. P-wave duration was significantly greater in transgenic animals starting at 12 months of age, but no significant chamber enlargement was detected, suggesting conduction slowing in the atria. Furthermore, this transgenic goat model exhibited a significant increase in AF vulnerability. Six of 8 transgenic goats (75%) were susceptible to AF induction and exhibited sustained AF (>2 minutes), whereas none of 6 controls displayed sustained AF (P < 0.01). Length of induced AF episodes was also significantly greater in the transgenic group compared to controls (687 ± 212.02 seconds vs. 2.50 ± 0.88 seconds, P < 0.0001), but no persistent or permanent AF was observed. CONCLUSION: A novel transgenic goat model with a substrate for AF was generated. In this model, cardiac overexpression of TGF-β1 led to an increase in fibrosis and myocyte size in the atria, and to progressive P-wave prolongation. We suggest that these factors underlie increased AF susceptibility.