The aim of this study was to explore the role of NRON in the atrial fibrosis. The expression of NRON in atrial tissue was detected using qRT-PCR. The protein levels of collagen I, collagen III, NFATc3 and p-NFATc3 were determined by western blot. Immunohistochemistry assay were performed to observe expression and distribution of collagen I in atrial tissues. The atrial fibroblasts were authenticated by vimentin/troponin immunofluorescence staining. Fibroblast proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The morphological changes of cardiac tissue were observed by HE staining. Myocardial fibrosis was detected by masson staining. NRON expression was significantly downregulated in atrial tissues of AF. NRON suppressed fibroblast proliferation; expression of collagen I and collagen III; activation of NFATc3 and nucleu import. NRON promoted p-NFATc3 expression and alleviated atrial fibrosis in vivo. Our data indicated that NRON alleviates atrial fibrosis via promoting NFATc3 phosphorylation.
Keywords: Atrial fibrosis; NFATc3 phosphorylation; NRON.