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

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04766814
Recruitment Status : Recruiting
First Posted : February 23, 2021
Last Update Posted : November 5, 2021
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center Clinical Research Resources Core
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Tulane University

Study Description
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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
Atrial Fibrillation Arrhythmia

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
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Study Type : Observational
Estimated 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 : October 22, 2021
Estimated Primary Completion Date : December 2022
Estimated Study Completion Date : December 2022

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine


Groups and Cohorts
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Group/Cohort
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
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Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Determine whether there is an underlying epigenetic cause of the inflammation of the heart associated with atrial fibrillation [ Time Frame: 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. [ Time Frame: 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. [ Time Frame: 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
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Ages Eligible for Study:   20 Years to 80 Years   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Sampling Method:   Probability Sample
Study Population

Participants will be recruited from the Tulane University Cardiology Clinics. The control healthy women subjects will be those 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.

The patient population will include women subjects between the ages 50 to 80 years diagnosed with AF as evidenced by rhythm strips or written documentation.

Recruitment will also be done using volunteer research registries.

Criteria

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
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Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04766814


Contacts
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Contact: Elvia Haynes, MD 504-988-4651 ehaynes@tulane.edu
Contact: Sruti Chandra, PhD 504-491-7606 schandr1@tulane.edu

Locations
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United States, Louisiana
Tulane University Medical Center Recruiting
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70112
Contact: Elvia Haynes, MD    504-988-4651    ehaynes@tulane.edu   
Contact: Sruti Chandra, PhD    504-491-7606    schandr1@tulane.edu   
Principal Investigator: Sruti Chandra, PhD         
Sponsors and Collaborators
Tulane University
Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center Clinical Research Resources Core
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Sruti Chandra, PhD Tulane University School of Medicine
More Information
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Publications:

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Responsible Party: Tulane University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04766814    
Other Study ID Numbers: 2020-561
First Posted: February 23, 2021    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: November 5, 2021
Last Verified: November 2021

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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:
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Atrial Fibrillation
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Pathologic Processes