. These effects on calcium remodeling are consistent with adenosine receptor signaling. Despite A
R activation inducing a c-AMP-dependent decrease in ICa,L, it has limited or no effect on the action potential duration
. Indeed, most studies report the major role of A
The activation of A
2BR has an important role in cardiac fibroblast homeostasis, but the role of A
2B in fibrosis is controversial, since both profibrotic
[81][82][83][84] and antifibrotic effects are reported
[85][86][87][88][89]. In cardiac fibroblasts, the increase in cAMP production following A
2BR activation plays an essential role in the inhibition of angiotensin-II-induced collagen production
[86]. However, activation of the A
2BR increases the production of collagen and increases the release of IL-6 in human cardiac fibroblasts, resulting in a profibrosis state
[84][90].
4. Association between Atrial Fibrillation Risk Factors and the Adenosinergic System
Dysregulation of the autonomous nervous system are characterized by an excessive sympathetic activation, and a diminished parasympathetic influence is central to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, hypertension and AF
[71]. Combined sympatho-vagal activation reflects the equilibrium between the release of epinephrine/norepinephrine, which activate the adrenergic receptors, and the release of acetylcholine, which induces the activation of the muscarinic receptors.
Atrial sympathetic innervation is controlled by adrenergic receptors, which are divided into three major subfamilies: α1-, α2-, and β-adrenergic receptors. They are all coupled to different classes of heteromeric G proteins. The α1 and α2 receptors are coupled to Gq/11 and Gi/o, respectively. β-Adrenergic receptors are coupled to Gs. The α1 and α2 receptors induce a strong extracellular ATP release, while the β-adrenergic receptors activate cAMP production
[7]. The activation of the β-adrenergic receptors by isoproterenol leads to the phosphorylation of nonjunctional RyR2 and L-type Ca
2+ channels (LTCC) and is responsible for large increases in the Ca
2+ flux
[38]. Interestingly, after the use of an A
2AR agonist, the increase in the heart rate was attenuated by a β-blocker. Thus, Wragg et al. demonstrated a direct activation of the sympathetic nervous system by A
2AR stimulation
[91].
In parallel, atrial parasympathetic innervation is controlled by muscarinic receptors (M
2Rs). As with A
1R stimulation, M
2R activation leads to the opposite effect on β-adrenergic stimulation. The M
2R stimulation activates inhibitory G proteins, subsequently reduces the activity of the HCN and LTCC and leads to decreased automaticity and conduction velocity in the nodal cell. M
2R also activates the GIRK channel responsible for hyperpolarization
[92].
Sympathovagal activation is a strong modulator of AF. Interestingly, hypertension, sleep apnea and heart failure are known to induce sympathetic tone activation and specific atrial remodeling
[45][93][94][95][96]. Moreover, all three AF risk factors also induce specific adenosinergic system remodeling. Especially in patients suffering from essential hypertension, an A
2AR overexpression was described in PBMCs
[68]. Because of the vasodilator effect of A
2AR, it was hypothesized that the A
2AR overexpression was a compensatory mechanism of high blood pressure
[96]. However, the chronic release of adenosine in the peripheral cardiovascular system during high blood pressure may also induce atrial remodeling of adenosine receptors. In the same manner, in sleep apnea or heart failure, the associated hypoxia may contribute to the atrial adenosinergic system’s remodeling and induce a pro-arrhythmogenic environment.
As the A1R stimulation induces GIRK activation, the question remains whether A1R remodeling and its activation by adenosine can also contribute to arrhythmogenic effects through a similar pathway.
The stimulation of the adrenergic and parasympathetic tone alone or combined can predispose to the AF onset
[97]. Sequential combined stimulations had a synergic effect rather than vagal or sympathetic drive alone
[97]. Interestingly, heart rate variability analyses before the occurrence of AF showed that AF patients have specific sympathetic and parasympathetic patterns
[98]. Furthermore, prolonged atrial pacing in dogs induced sympathovagal activation and increased the risk of AF. Interestingly, the cryoablation of both autonomic nerves prevents the occurrence of AF
[99]. However, the exact interaction between the adenosine receptors and cardiac autonomic innervation, as facilitator or inhibitor, is still unclear.