RETRACTED: Long non-coding RNA PCAT-1 promotes cardiac fibroblast proliferation via upregulating TGF-β1 (Retracted Article)

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the vital functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in many diseases have been explored. This study aims to identify the function of lncRNA PCAT-1 in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real Time-quantitative Polymerise Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect PCAT-1 expression in right atrial appendage (RAA) tissues of 51 AF patients and 35 patients with sinus rhythm (SR). Besides. cell proliferation assay was conducted in AC16 cells with PCAT-1 knockdown. Molecular mechanism of PCAT-1 in influencing the progression of AF was finally investigated. RESULTS: PCAT-1 expression was higher in RAA tissues of AF patients than those of SR patients. Moreover, knockdown of PCAT-1 inhibited proliferation in AC16 cells. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) was a target of PCAT-1 and its expression in AF tissues positively correlated to PCAT-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: PCAT-1 could promote cell proliferation of AF via promoting TGF-beta 1, which may provide a new theory for AF development.