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

Blood samples will be collected from 30 female participants as follows: 10 women between the ages of 50 - 80 years diagnosed with AF as evidenced by rhythm strips or written documentation; 10 healthy women subjects between the ages of 50-80 years and 10 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.

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