Immune Pathways

The literature review identified immune components mainly stimulated by the immunomodulators associated with atrial fibrillation reporting. The review identified another cluster of immune components that was predominantly inhibited by the implicated immunomodulators. Macrophages may contribute to atrial fibrillation through mechanisms involving IL-1 beta, IL-6, TGF beta, fibroblast proliferation, connexin inhibition, fibrosis, and disturbed conduction. The study proposed an immune model in which immune activation contributes to electrical and structural atrial remodeling. NK cells, macrophages, and Th1 cells may form a self-reinforcing inflammatory loop contributing to the progression of atrial fibrillation.