Mouse study: radiation-induced atrial fibrillation linked to cellular senescence via GATA4-NF-κB
In irradiated mice, DNA damage and cellular senescence via the GATA4-NF-κB pathway accompanied atrial remodeling and greater susceptibility to atrial fibrillation; the senolytic combination dasatinib and quercetin reduced these changes in the abstract. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Irradiated mice showed dose-dependent atrial structural and electrophysiological remodeling. [1]
In irradiated HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes, GATA4 knockdown suppressed cellular senescence and SASP expression. [1]
In irradiated mice, dasatinib plus quercetin reduced susceptibility to atrial fibrillation. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Preclinical animal and cell study (abstract)
- Population / context
- Mice with locally irradiated hearts and irradiated HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 15, 2026
Irradiated mice and atrial cardiomyocytes in the study
The abstract describes an in vivo mouse model in which the heart was locally irradiated with 20 Gy X-rays, plus in vitro work with irradiated HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes. The stated aim was to clarify the role of cellular senescence and the GATA4-NF-κB signaling pathway in radiation-induced atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation. Irradiated mice showed dose-dependent structural and electrophysiological remodeling of the atria.
Supporting source [1]
Senescence markers and GATA4 knockdown in the abstract
Transcriptomic analysis showed enrichment in DNA damage response, NF-κB signaling and aging-related pathways. Radiation induced DNA damage, activated ATM/ATR pathways and enhanced autophagic flux, leading to GATA4 accumulation and NF-κB phosphorylation, which drove senescence-associated secretory phenotype expression alongside increased SA-β-gal activity. In irradiated HL-1 cells, GATA4 knockdown suppressed cellular senescence and SASP expression.
Supporting source [1]
Dasatinib plus quercetin reduced atrial changes in mice
In irradiated mice, treatment with the senolytic combination dasatinib and quercetin (D/Q) alleviated DNA damage, inhibited excessive autophagy and suppressed the GATA4-NF-κB pathway, lowering SASP levels. These improvements reversed atrial structural and electrophysiological remodeling and markedly reduced susceptibility to atrial fibrillation. The abstract frames D/Q as a promising strategy for preventing radiation-induced atrial fibrillation; this is a preclinical finding, not evidence of benefit in people.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed. Findings come from a mouse model and HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes, so they are preclinical and do not establish benefit or safety in people. The abstract does not report sample sizes, follow-up or detailed statistics.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Zhang C, Lan H, Yu L, Zhao J, Huang T, Sun B, Meng S, Duan J, Liu J, Zhou Z, Wang Z, Li J, Huang X, Wang H. · europepmc.org · September 15, 2026