Is expression of the von Willebrand factor in atrial endocardium increased in atrial fibrillation depending on the extent of structural remodeling?
Endocardial overexpression of vWF may occur during the process of atrial structural remodeling contributing to the thrombotic predilection of AF in association with underlying heart disease.
There was no statistical association between any of the proteins scored in W and clinicopathologic features or patient survival. When examined separately, significant associations were shown for (i) CD151 and EGFR in TU (p=0.036) and (ii) tumour grade and EGFR in both TU (p=0.045) and IF (p=0.030). INGA3 was present predominantly in the tumour-host interface, significantly stronger in IF than TU (p=0.021). An association with 5-year disease-free survival was close to significant for INGA3 (TU and IF) (p=0.050) but not the CD151/INGA3 complex. Expression of CD151/INGA3 at the IF might reflect tumour behaviour pertinent to patient outcome.