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Epigenetic Analysis of Regulation of the Inflammasome-activating NLRP3 Gene in Monocytes From Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Controls

Sponsor
Tulane University (Other)
Overall Status
Recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT04766814
Collaborator
Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center Clinical Research Resources Core (Other)
30
Enrollment
1
Location
13.3
Anticipated Duration (Months)
2.3
Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The study will analyze blood from volunteers to determine whether there is an underlying epigenetic cause of the inflammation of the heart associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and its progression with age. Confirming the regions of epigenetic elements associated with upregulation of the inflammatory genes will help the investigators in identifying target sites for developing future therapeutic interventions. The investigators propose to confirm the monocyte-cell type specific DNA methylation profile of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and determine the age-related and AF-related changes in DNA methylation and expression of NLRP3 in monocytes. This study will provide insights into the epigenetic regulation of NLRP3 in young and elderly patients, as well as in AF patients vs. controls which will help in devising methods of modulating NLRP3 expression and decreasing cardiac fibrosis progression.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase

    Detailed Description

    Blood samples will be collected from 120 female participants as follows: 40 women between the ages of 50 - 80 years diagnosed with AF as evidenced by rhythm strips or written documentation; 40 healthy women subjects between the ages of 50-80 years and 40 healthy women between the ages of 20-30 years.

    Participants will be recruited from the Tulane University Cardiology Clinics and also from volunteer research registries. These participants will be asked for consent to draw for another 8 ml (1.5 teaspoons) of blood during routine diagnostic blood draws. These blood samples will be de-identified by the PI upon receipt and no identifiable information will be maintained. Leukocyte subtypes including monocytes, neutrophils and B cells will be isolated from blood and DNA extraction will be carried out from the leukocyte subtypes. These leukocyte DNA samples will be sent to New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts for DNA methylation analysis to identify target regions of epigenetic elements associated with upregulation of NLRP3 gene expression that might be related to disease progression with age. Real-Time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will be carried out at Tulane Research and Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD) Center, Tulane University School of Medicine from RNA extracted from leukocyte subtype to check the level of expression of NLRP3 highly associated with inflammation in AF.

    Study Design

    Study Type:
    Observational
    Anticipated Enrollment :
    30 participants
    Observational Model:
    Case-Control
    Time Perspective:
    Prospective
    Official Title:
    Epigenetic Analysis of Regulation of the Inflammasome-activating NLRP3 Gene in Monocytes From Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Controls
    Actual Study Start Date :
    Oct 22, 2021
    Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
    Dec 1, 2022
    Anticipated Study Completion Date :
    Dec 1, 2022

    Arms and Interventions

    Arm Intervention/Treatment
    Patient Group

    40 women between the ages of 50 - 80 years diagnosed with AF as evidenced by rhythm strips or written documentation.
    Control Group 1

    40 healthy women subjects between the ages of 50-80 year
    Control Group 2

    40 healthy women subjects between the ages of 20-30 years

    Outcome Measures

    Primary Outcome Measures

    1. Determine whether there is an underlying epigenetic cause of the inflammation of the heart associated with atrial fibrillation [Day 1]

      This will be determined by confirming the monocyte-cell type specific DNA methylation profile of NLRP3.

    2. Determine whether there are significant associations of DNA methylation with NLRP3 expression in monocytes with advancing age. [Day 1]

      Age association will be examined by comparing group wise the DNA methylation levels of monocytes from young vs. old individuals. The level of NLRP3 expression will be compared to the levels of DNA methylation.

    3. Determine whether there are significant associations of DNA methylation with NLRP3 expression in monocytes with the status of atrial fibrillation. [Day 1]

      Disease associations will be tested by comparing group wise the DNA methylation levels of monocytes from AF patients vs. controls. The investigators will also test for understanding significant association of NLRP3 expression with corresponding DNA methylation status in AF patients.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study:
    20 Years to 80 Years
    Sexes Eligible for Study:
    Female
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
    Yes
    Inclusion Criteria:

    • Subjects aged 18 or above,

    • Control Group scheduled for routine annual health check-up and healthy blood donors without any documentation of cardiovascular disease or other serious immune-related illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune arthritis etc

    • healthy women subjects between the ages of 50-80 years

    • healthy women subjects between the ages of 20-30 years.

    Study Patients -women between the ages of 50 - 80 years diagnosed with AF as evidenced by rhythm strips or written documentation.

    Exclusion Criteria:

    • Previous left atrial ablation or any type of valvular surgery

    • Patients who are taking medications like Ibuprofen, Toradol, Naproxen and other common over-the -counter NSAIDs.

    • Women who are pregnant

    • Terminally ill patients

    Contacts and Locations

    Locations

    Site City State Country Postal Code
    1 Tulane University Medical Center New Orleans Louisiana United States 70112

    Sponsors and Collaborators

    • Tulane University
    • Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center Clinical Research Resources Core

    Investigators

    • Principal Investigator: Sruti Chandra, PhD, Tulane University School of Medicine

    Study Documents (Full-Text)

    None provided.

    More Information

    Publications

    Responsible Party:
    Tulane University
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT04766814
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • 2020-561
    First Posted:
    Feb 23, 2021
    Last Update Posted:
    Nov 5, 2021
    Last Verified:
    Nov 1, 2021
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
    No
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
    No
    Keywords provided by Tulane University
    Inflammation
    Stroke
    DNA methylation
    Additional relevant MeSH terms:
    Atrial Fibrillation

    Study Results

    No Results Posted as of Nov 5, 2021