Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia where the heart rhythm is unsteady, showing an abnormal and unorganized electrical activity spanning across the atria which interrupts the normal sinus rhythm. At Protheragen, we focus on offering comprehensive research services for uncommon diseases, providing all-encompassing solutions to disorders like atrial fibrillation. All-in-one comprehensive drug discovery and development services that comprise diagnostics, therapies, and novel disease model creation are our areas of expertise.
Introduction to Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with sustained cardiac conduction system disturbance and is associated with a higher mortality rate, strokes, and peripheral emboli. The new definition of atrial fibrillation suggests the presence of an extra-sinoatrial node, supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in addition to disorganized atrial electrical activity which results in impaired contraction of the atria.
Fig.1 Cellular mediators of atrial fibrosis. (Sagris, M., et al., 2021)Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation
Fibrosis is known to be an important factor that sustains atrial fibrillation. It has been suggested that an increased number of fibroblast/myofibroblast cells in fibrotic tissue, as well as increased ECM deposition, impairs the continuity of myocardial bundles and, thus, interferes with the gap-junctions formation among cardiomyocytes. This results in abnormal conduction which leads to reduced conduction velocity and eventually results in unidirectional conduction blocks. Additionally, myofibroblasts make communication with cardiomyocytes and change their electrophysiological properties, which results in focal firing and re-entrant circuits.
Fig.2 Illustration of dietary habits affecting atrial fibrillation incidence. (Sagris, M., et al., 2021)Therapeutics Development for Atrial Fibrillation
| Drug Names | Mechanism of Action | Targets | NCT Number | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etripamil | A new calcium channel blocker that works mainly on atrioventricular nodal conduction through the L-type calcium channel. | L-type calcium channel | NCT06716021 | Phase III |
| SHR-2004 | Binds to both FXI and FXIa, preventing the activation of FXI by FXIIa and thus obstructing the cascade process of the endogenous coagulation system. | FXIa | NCT06280768 | Phase I |
| Rivaroxaban | An oral anticoagulant that inhibits free and clot-bound factor Xa through direct and reversible binding. | Factor Xa | NCT06187311 | Phase IV |
| Apixaban | Inhibits free and clot-bound factor Xa and prothrombinase activity. | Factor Xa | NCT06862726 | Phase IV |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a therapy plan recommendation. For guidance on therapy options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
To pinpoint molecular drivers and biomarkers relevant to rare cardiovascular diseases, our company's diagnostic development services focus on accuracy and efficiency. During therapeutic development, we offer full support starting from the drug discovery phase to the development of candidate drugs, while demonstrating efficacy through pharmacokinetic studies and preclinical safety assessments. Also, our comprehensive platforms for disease model development allow us to replicate the intricate pathophysiology of rare cardiovascular diseases with great precision in a controlled setting.
Therapeutic Development Services
Animal Model Development for Atrial Fibrillation
The animal model facilitates a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and helps accelerate the translation of laboratory findings to applications. We take pride in offering bespoke laboratory animal model development services for atrial fibrillation research, which will guarantee drug discoveries as well as therapeutic assessments.
Administration of amyloidogenic light chain proteins into animals to induce deposition of amyloid in designated amyloid organs like the heart.
Optional models:
- Human amyloidogenic light chains induced model
- Recombinant amyloidogenic light chains induced model
Transgenic strategy to increase the expression of human amyloidogenic light chains in animal models to reproduce systemic light-chain deposition.
Optional models:
- CMV-lambda 6 transgenic model
- Other models
Protheragen employs new technologies and analytic methods to produce accurate and reproducible results which form the basis for effective intervention strategies. In the fight against rare cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation, choose us as your trusted partner for innovative research and preclinical services. We can be reached for more details about the services that interest you.
Reference
- Sagris, Marios et al. "Atrial Fibrillation: Pathogenesis, Predisposing Factors, and Genetics." International journal of molecular sciences 23.1 (2021): 6.
For research use only, not for clinical use.