AUTHOR=Xing Yaxuan , Yan Longmei , Li Xiaoya , Xu Zhijie , Wu Xianyu , Gao Huirong , Chen Yiduo , Ma Xiaojuan , Liu Jiangang , Zhang Jingchun TITLE=The relationship between atrial fibrillation and NLRP3 inflammasome: a gut microbiota perspective JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273524 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273524 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical arrhythmia whose pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, and the inflammatory response plays an important role in the development of AF. The inflammasome is an important component of innate immunity and is involved in a variety of pathophysiologic processes. The NLRP3 inflammasome is by far the best studied and validated inflammasome that recognizes multiple pathogens through pattern recognition receptors of innate immunity and mediates inflammatory responses through activation of Caspase-1. Several studies have shown that NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to the onset and development of AF. Ecological dysregulation of the gut microbiota has been associated with the development of AF, and some evidence suggests that gut microbiota components, functional byproducts, or metabolites may induce or exacerbate the development of AF by directly or indirectly modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this review, we report on the interconnection of NLRP3 inflammasomes and gut microbiota and whether this association is related to the onset and persistence of AF. We discuss the potential value of pharmacological and dietary induction in the management of AF in the context of the association between the NLRP3 inflammasome and gut microbiota. It is hoped that this review will lead to new therapeutic targets for the future management of AF.