局灶性脑缺血后侧脑室室下区神经发生及其与血管内皮生长因子关系的研究

为了研究成年大鼠局灶性脑缺血后侧脑室室下区(SVZ)神经发生的情况及其与血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的关系,探讨脑缺血后神经发生及其调控机制,本研究通过大脑中动脉阻断法(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,5-溴-2-脱氧尿核苷(BrdU)标记增殖的神经前体细胞,用免疫荧光双标记法动态检测BrdU、TuJ1、MAP-2、GFAP的表达,同时观察增殖细胞表达VEGF及其受体情况。结果显示:与对照组相比,大鼠SVZ的BrdU阳性细胞数在脑缺血后4 d组明显增加,14 d组达到高峰;Br-dU/TuJ1、BrdU/MAP-2阳性双标细胞数在脑缺血后14 d组开始增加,28 d组达到高峰;但BrdU/GFAP阳性双标细胞数则无明显变化;增殖的BrdU阳性细胞同时表达VEGF及其受体FLK-1。以上结果提示:大鼠局灶性脑缺血可激活SVZ自体神经前体细胞原位增殖、分化,且增殖的细胞同时表达VEGF及其受体可能是脑缺血后神经发生增强的调节机制之一。     

大鼠局灶性短暂脑缺血后前脑室下带的神经发生

目的：观察大鼠短暂性局灶性脑缺血后前脑室下带(SVZ)神经发生的增殖规律。方法：将SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、假手术组和缺血实验组，缺血实验组再分为缺血后1、4、7、10、14d组。线栓法制作局灶性脑缺血模型；BrdU标记S期细胞并用免疫组织化学方法检测含BrdU的阳性细胞；测量SVZ区域BrdU阳性细胞核的总面积。结果：在缺血侧，缺血后4d BrdU阳性细胞核的总面积明显增加，7d时达到峰值，随后开始下降，在14d时明显下降，但仍高于正常对照组；在缺血对侧，该区域也表现出同样的表达规律，在缺血后10d达到峰值，但增幅较小。结论：短暂性局灶性脑缺血可促进前脑室下带的神经发生，提示成年脑有潜在的自我修复能力。     

Neurogenesis in the striatum of the quinolinic acid lesion model of Huntington's disease

The presence of ongoing neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain raises the exciting possibility that endogenous progenitor cells may be able to generate new neurons to replace cells lost through brain injury or neurodegenerative disease. We have recently demonstrated increased cell proliferation and the generation of new neurons in the Huntington's disease human brain. In order to better understand the potential role of endogenous neuronal replacement in neurodegenerative disorders and extend our initial observations in the human Huntington's disease brain, we examined the effect of striatal cell loss on neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the adult rodent forebrain using the quinolinic acid (QA) lesion rat model of Huntington's disease. Cell proliferation and neurogenesis were assessed with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and immunocytochemistry for cell type-specific markers. BrdU labeling demonstrated increased cell proliferation in the SVZ ipsilateral to the QA-lesioned striatum, resulting in expansion of the SVZ in the lesioned hemisphere. Quantification revealed that QA lesion-induced striatal cell loss produced a significant increase in the area of BrdU-immunoreactivity in the SVZ ipsilateral to the lesioned hemisphere between 1 and 14 days post-lesion compared with sham-lesioned animals, with the greatest increase observed at 7 days post-lesion. These changes were associated with an increase in cells in the anterior SVZ ipsilateral to the lesioned striatum expressing the antigenic marker for SVZ neuroblasts, doublecortin (Dcx). Importantly, we observed Dcx-positive cells extending from the SVZ into the QA-lesioned striatum where a subpopulation of newly generated cells expressed markers for immature and mature neurons. This study demonstrates that loss of GABAergic medium spiny projection neurons following QA striatal lesioning of the adult rat brain increases SVZ neurogenesis, leading to the putative migration of neuroblasts to damaged areas of the striatum and the formation of new neurons.     

Cilostazol attenuates ischemic brain injury and enhances neurogenesis in the subventricular zone of adult mice after transient focal cerebral ischemia

Evidence suggests that neurogenesis occurs in the adult mammalian brain, and that various stimuli, for example, ischemia/hypoxia, enhance the generation of neural progenitor cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and their migration into the olfactory bulb. In a mouse stroke model, focal ischemia results in activation of neural progenitor cells followed by their migration into the ischemic lesion. The present study assessed the in vivo effects of cilostazol, a type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor known to activate the cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) signaling, on neurogenesis in the ipsilateral SVZ and peri-infarct area in a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mice were divided into sham operated (n=12), vehicle- (n=18) and cilostazol-treated (n=18) groups. Sections stained for 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and several neuronal and a glial markers were analyzed at post-ischemia days 1, 3 and 7. Cilostazol reduced brain ischemic volume (P<0.05) and induced earlier recovery of neurologic deficit (P<0.05). Cilostazol significantly increased the density of BrdU-positive newly-formed cells in the SVZ compared with the vehicle group without ischemia. Increased density of doublecortin (DCX)-positive and BrdU/DCX-double positive neural progenitor cells was noted in the ipsilateral SVZ and peri-infarct area at 3 and 7 days after focal ischemia compared with the vehicle group (P<0.05). Cilostazol increased DCX-positive phosphorylated CREB (pCREB)-expressing neural progenitor cells, and increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-expressing astrocytes in the ipsilateral SVZ and peri-infarct area. The results indicated that cilostazol enhanced neural progenitor cell generation in both ipsilateral SVZ and peri-infarct area through CREB-mediated signaling pathway after focal ischemia.     

Increase in neurogenesis and neuroblast migration after a small intracerebral hemorrhage in rats

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) reside in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus in the adult mammalian brain. It has been reported that endogenous NPCs are activated after brain insults such as ischemic stroke. We investigated whether proliferation and migration of endogenous NPCs are increased after a collagenase-induced small intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) near the internal capsule in rats. Bromodeoxyuridin (BrdU) administration for 14 days after ICH (post-labeling) resulted in an increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells as shown in both ipsilateral and contralateral SVZs. BrdU treatment given for 2 days before ICH to label endogenous NPCs (pre-labeling), caused more BrdU-positive cells to be detected in the ipsilateral dorsal striatum (dSTR) compared to those in the contralateral dSTR 14 days after ICH. BrdU- and doublecortin (Dcx)-positive cells were found in the ipsilateral STR. An increase in the number of Dcx-positive migrating immature neurons was found in the dSTR and peri-hemorrhage area 14 days after ICH, and a cluster of Dcx-positive cells was found in the STR around the lesion 28 days after ICH. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was strongly expressed in wide area of the injured brain, particularly around the lesion 14 and 28 days after ICH. Dcx- and MMP-2-positive cells were detected in the ipsilateral STR near the lesion. These data suggest that collagenase-induced ICH enhances the proliferation of endogenous NPCs and the migration of newly born neuroblasts toward the hemorrhage area.     

Wnt expression in the adult rat subventricular zone after stroke

Neurogenesis occurs in adult brain neural progenitor cells (NPCs) located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and the subgrandular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. After ischemic stroke, NPCs in the SVZ proliferate and migrate towards the ischemic boundary region to replenish damaged neurons. During development, the Wnt pathways contribute to stem cell maintenance and promote neurogenesis. We hypothesized that stroke up regulates Wnt family genes in SVZ cells. Non-ischemic and ischemic cultured SVZ cells and a single population of non-ischemic and ischemic SVZ cells isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM) were analyzed for Wnt pathway expression using real-time RT-PCR and immunostaining. The number of neurospheres increased significantly (p<0.05) in SVZ cells derived from ischemic (32+/-4.7/rat) compared with the number in non-ischemic SVZ cells (18+/-3/rat). Wnt family gene mRNA levels were detected in SVZ cells isolated from both cultured and LCM SVZ cells, however there was no up regulation between non-ischemic and ischemic SVZ cells. Immunostaining on brain sections also demonstrated no up regulation of Wnt pathway protein between ischemic and non-ischemic SVZ cells. Expression of the Wnt family genes in SVZ cells support the hypothesis that the Wnt pathway may be involved in neurogenesis in the adult brain. However, ischemia does not up regulate Wnt family gene expression.     

EphB2 induces proliferation and promotes a neuronal fate in adult subventricular neural precursor cells

The subventricular germinal zone (SVZ) retains an active population of stem cells and neural precursor cells throughout adulthood. EphrinB signaling mediates angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in the developing and adult brain. Recent studies indicate that molecules involved in angiogenesis often influence neurogenesis as well. However, little work has been done considering a role for EphB2/EphrinB in adult neural precursor cells. We therefore examined whether the EphB2 receptor tyrosine kinase could directly effect proliferation of SVZ neural precursors and/or direct the cell fate of SVZ cells in vitro. Here, we found that clustered EphB2 increased bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and proliferation of SVZ neurosphere cultures. Immunostaining and RT-PCR analysis for beta-tubulin III (Tuj1) and GFAP indicated 4-day treatment with EphB2 promoted a neuronal phenotype, suggesting that the EphB2 receptor might also direct SVZ cell fate. EphB2 transiently down-regulated SVZ cell mRNA of Notch1 and Zic1, genes that regulate neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation. Notch1 has been implicated in apoptosis of neural precursors, however, a cell viability assay revealed no statistical difference between EphB2-treated and control cultures. When SVZ neurospheres were cultured upon Matrigel, EphB2 attenuated radial migration of SVZ cells in vitro. These results demonstrate that EphB2/EphrinB signaling directly induces SVZ proliferation, decreases migration, and promotes a neuronal fate of SVZ neural precursors independent of cell survival.     

Sustained increase in adult neurogenesis in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus after transient brain ischemia

It is known that the number of newly generated neurons is increased in the young and adult rodent subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus (DG) after transient brain ischemia. However, it remains unclear whether increase in neurogenesis in the adult DG induced by ischemic stroke is transient or sustained. We here reported that from 2 weeks to 6 months after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), there were more doublecortin positive (DCX+) cells in the ipsilateral compared to the sham-control and contralateral DG of the adult rat. After the S-phase marker 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected 2 days after MCAO to label newly generated cells, a large number of BrdU-labeled neuroblasts differentiated into mature granular neurons. These BrdU-labeled neurons survived for at least 6 months. When BrdU was injected 6 weeks after injury, there were still more newly generated neuroblasts differentiated into mature neurons in the ipsilateral DG. Altogether, our data indicate that transient brain ischemia initiates a prolonged increase in neurogenesis and promotes the normal development of the newly generated neurons in the adult DG.     

Fibroblast growth factor 2 enhances striatal and nigral neurogenesis in the acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine model of Parkinson's disease

In response to injury, endogenous precursors in the adult brain can proliferate and generate new neurons, which may have the capacity to replace dysfunctional or dead cells. Although injury-induced neurogenesis has been demonstrated in animal models of stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Huntington's disease (HD), studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) have produced conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the ability of adult mice to generate new neurons in response to the parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which causes selective degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. MPTP lesions increased the incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (BrdU), as well as the number of cells that co-expressed BrdU and the immature neuronal marker doublecortin (DCX), in two neuroproliferative regions—the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the rostral subventricular zone (SVZ). BrdU-labeled, DCX-expressing cells were not found in the substantia nigra (SN) of MPTP-treated mice, where neuronal cell bodies are destroyed, but were present in increased numbers in the striatum, where SN neurons lost in PD normally project. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), which enhances neurogenesis in a mouse model of HD, also increased the number of BrdU/DCX-immunopositive cells in the SN of MPTP-treated mice. Thus, MPTP-induced brain injury increases striatal neurogenesis and, in combination with FGF-2 treatment, also stimulates neurogenesis in SN.     

Postischemic exercise decreases neurogenesis in the adult rat dentate gyrus

Running exercise enhances neurogenesis in the normal adult and aged hippocampus. However, the effect of exercise on neurogenesis in the ischemic hippocampus is unclear. Here, we show that running exercise has different effects on ischemic and non-ischemic brain. Young (3-4-month-old) normotensive Wistar rats were used for this study. We administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to rats 7 days after the induction of transient forebrain ischemia or sham operation. BrdU-labeled cells were increased in the ischemic subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer (GCL) and double immunofluoresence showed approximately 80% of BrdU-labeled cells expressed neuronal markers. To assess the effect of running exercise on neurogenesis, BrdU-labeled cells in these regions were quantified after 1 day and 14 days. In sham-operated rats, the numbers of BrdU-labeled cells were significantly increased (2.2-fold) in the SGZ and GCL in response to running exercise. The numbers of BrdU-labeled cells were increased in response to ischemia, however, they were decreased 14 days after BrdU administration and running exercise accelerated the reduction in BrdU-labeled cells in ischemic rats. These findings suggest that running exercise has a negative effect on neurogenesis in the ischemic hippocampus. This may be important with respect to assessment of therapeutic approaches for functional recovery after stroke.     

Ischemia induces cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the gerbil hippocampus in response to neuronal death

We studied hippocampal cellular proliferation and neurogenesis processes in a model of transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils by labelling dividing cells with 5'-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Surrounding the region of selective neuronal death (CA1 pyramidal layer of the hippocampus), an important increase in reactive astrocytes and BrdU-labelled cells was detected 5 days after ischemia. A similar result was found in the dentate gyrus (DG) 12 days after ischemia. The differentiation of the BrdU+ cells was investigated 28 days after BrdU administration by analyzing the morphology, anatomic localization and cell phenotype by triple fluorescent labelling (BrdU, adult neural marker NeuN and DNA marker TOPRO-3) using confocal laser-scanning microscopy. This analysis showed increased neurogenesis in the DG in case of ischemia and triple positive labelling in some newborn cells in CA1. Seven brain hemispheres from gerbils subjected to ischemia did not develop CA1 neuronal death; hippocampus from these hemispheres did not show any of the above mentioned findings. Our results indicate that ischemia triggers proliferation in CA1 and neurogenesis in the DG in response to CA1 pyramidal neuronal death, independently of the reduced cerebral blood flow or the cell migration from subventricular zone (SVZ).     

局灶性脑缺血后老年大鼠室管膜下区和颗粒下层细胞增殖与分化的实验研究

目的观察老年大鼠局灶性脑缺血后室管膜下区（SVZ）和颗粒下层（SGZ）神经干细胞的增殖与分化.方法取老年大鼠制作大脑中动脉梗塞模型.用5-溴脱氧尿核苷（BrdU）脉冲标记结合免疫组织化学单标记技术,观察正常组、假手术组、脑缺血后3、7、14、21、28 d组SVZ和SGZ区BrdU阳性细胞的变化;用BrdU累积标记结合免疫组织化学双标技术,观察脑缺血14 d后SVZ和SGZ区BrdU/NeuN和BrdU/GFAP双标阳性细胞的数量.结果在正常组、假手术组及各脑缺血组大鼠的双侧SVZ和SGZ均可观察到BrdU阳性细胞.与正常组和假手术组相比,脑缺血后SVZ和SGZ区BrdU阳性细胞明显增加.缺血组SVZ区BrdU阳性细胞在脑缺血后7 d时达到高峰,28 d时仍高于正常水平;SGZ区BrdU阳性细胞在脑缺血后14 d时达到高峰,28 d时仍高于正常水平.通过BrdU累积标记和免疫组织化学双标发现：脑缺血14 d后,老年大鼠SVZ区有部分细胞显示BrdU/NeuN（0.98%）或BrdU/GFAP（12.56%）双标阳性,而SGZ区未见双标细胞.结论局灶性脑缺血可激活老年大鼠室管膜下区和颗粒下层的神经干细胞明显增殖,并且室管膜下区有部分增殖细胞可分化为神经元或神经胶质.     

成年大鼠脑室下层细胞表达GFR-α_1的免疫组织化学研究

观察胶质细胞源性神经营养因子受体-α1 (GFR -α1 )在成年大鼠脑室下层(SVZ)细胞的表达,探讨胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)对SVZ细胞的作用。成年大鼠SVZ组织冰冻切片,采用GFR -α1 结合5- 溴脱氧尿苷(BrdU)的免疫组织化学单标记与双标记方法,对成年大鼠SVZ进行观察。在成年大鼠SVZ可见GFR- α1 阳性细胞、BrdU阳性细胞和GFR- α1 /BrdU双标记细胞,且三种阳性细胞的分布趋势相似。结果提示GDNF可能参与调节成年哺乳动物脑内SVZ细胞的增殖、分化和迁移。     

不同月龄大鼠脑室下区胶质细胞源性神经营养因子受体α1的表达

目的:观察胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)受体α1(Glial cell line-derived growth factor recepterα1, GFR-α1)在1、3、8、12月龄大鼠脑室下区(SVZ)中的表达。方法:取不同月龄大鼠SVZ行冰冻切片,采用GFRα1多克隆抗体结合5′-BrdU单克隆抗体免疫组织化学单标与双标的方法染色。结果:在不同年龄大鼠SVZ可见GFR-α1、BrdU单标与双标细胞,但主要分布在SVZ前部的背外侧部分。随着年龄的增长,3种标记细胞的数量逐渐减少,且12月龄组的减少更明显。结论:GDNF可能通过GFR-α1参与调节哺乳动物脑内SVZ细胞的增殖和分化。随着年龄的增加,GFR-α1表达逐渐减少,SVZ细胞增殖、分化的能力亦减弱。     

成年和老年大鼠局灶性脑缺血后脑室下区细胞的增殖分化

目的：比较老年和成年大鼠局灶性脑缺血后脑室下区（SVZ）神经干细胞的增殖与分化。方法：制作大脑中动脉梗死模型,用免疫组化法检测SVZ的5-溴脱氧尿核苷（BrdU）、神经元核抗原（NeuN）及胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）阳性细胞数的变化。结果：SVZ的BrdU阳性细胞在正常组和假手术组成年大鼠明显多于老年大鼠。实验组成年和老年大鼠均在缺血后增加,28d时仍高于正常水平,但成年大鼠各时间点均明显高于老年大鼠。在新生细胞中部分细胞是Brdu／NeuN或BrdU／GFAP双标细胞,但老年大鼠Brdu／NeuN双标细胞明显少于成年大鼠。结论：大鼠脑缺血激活SVZ神经干细胞增殖能力,成年大鼠明显强于老年大鼠,且新生细胞分化为神经元的比例也明显高于老年大鼠。     

Enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the subventricular zone of stroke-lesioned rats

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3, a receptor for VEGF-C and VEGF-D, has recently been proposed to be involved in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in response to cerebral ischemia. To identify whether VEGFR-3 is involved in poststroke neurogenesis, we investigated the temporal regulation of VEGFR-3 mRNA expression in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of rats with transient focal cerebral ischemia by in situ hybridization analysis, and identified the phenotypes of cells expressing VEGFR-3 by double- and triple-labeling techniques. In sham-operated rats, hybridization signals for VEGFR-3 mRNA were evident at a weaker intensity in the SVZ of the lateral ventricle. VEGFR-3 was transiently increased in the dorsolateral SVZ of the infarcted hemisphere on days 3–7 after reperfusion. Almost all VEGFR-3-expressing cells in the ipsilateral SVZ were colabeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein and the neural progenitor marker nestin, and were highly proliferative. In addition, a subset of VEGFR-3-labeled cells in the ipsilateral SVZ expressed the immature neuronal marker, polysialic acid-neural cell adhesion molecule. These data indicate that VEGFR-3 is upregulated in SVZ astrocytes and immature neurons after focal ischemia, suggesting that VEGFR-3 might mediate the adult neurogenesis after ischemic stroke.     

新生大鼠脑缺血后脑室下区基因表达谱的生物信息学分析

目的建立3日龄大鼠脑缺血模型,采用基因芯片分析新生大鼠未成熟脑缺血损伤后脑室下区(SVZ)基因表达谱的变化。方法同窝3日龄大鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,采用双侧颈总动脉结扎法制备缺血性脑损伤模型,于不同时点取SVZ组织,采用Affymetrix Rat230 2.0基因表达谱芯片观察SVZ基因表达变化,芯片数据分别用3种不同方法分析,并用实时PCR方法验证芯片结果。结果①通过差异基因筛选,发现3日龄大鼠脑缺血损伤后SVZ有17个基因发生表达变化,其中上调基因10个,下调基因7个,这些基因参与多种功能的调节。②基于基因功能的表达趋势分析显示,在所有参与增殖、凋亡功能的基因中,转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)在3日龄大鼠脑缺血损伤后SVZ微环境基因表达变化中起枢纽作用。实时PCR验证结果显示,TGF-β1及Smad2于缺血后1、4和7 d表达均上升,7 d达高峰。③在参与Wnt、TGF、BMP和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)通路所有基因组成的基因功能相似性网络中,有13个基因在网络中起核心调控作用,构成信号通路串话节点。结论新生大鼠在脑缺血损伤后SVZ微环境中,参与神经新生的BMP、TGF、VEGF和Wnt通路间的串话...     

Fate mapping and lineage analyses demonstrate the production of a large number of striatal neuroblasts after transforming growth factor alpha and noggin striatal infusions into the dopamine-depleted striatum

Infusion of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) into the adult dopamine (DA)-depleted striatum generates a local population of nestin(+)/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)(+) newborn cells. The precise origin and fate of these new striatal cells are unknown, making it difficult to direct them for neural repair in Parkinson's disease. Experiments in rats using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label neural progenitor cells showed that during TGFalpha infusion in the DA-depleted striatum, newborn striatal cells formed a homogeneous population of precursors, with the majority coexpressing nestin, Mash1, Olig2, and epidermal growth factor receptor, consistent with the phenotype of multipotent C cells. Upon TGFalpha pump withdrawal, the subventricular zone (SVZ) was repopulated by neuroblasts. Strikingly, during this period, numerous clusters of doublecortin(+)/polysialylated neuronal cell adhesion molecule(+) neuroblasts were also produced in the ipsilateral medial striatum. In parallel, striatal BrdU(+)/glial fibrillary acidic protein(+) astrocytes were generated, but no BrdU(+)/O4(+)/CNPase(+) oligodendrocytes were generated. Infusion of the neuralizing bone morphogenetic protein antagonist noggin after TGFalpha pump withdrawal increased the neuroblast-to-astrocyte ratio among new striatal cells by blocking glial differentiation but did not alter striatal neurogenesis. At no time or treatment condition were differentiated neurons generated, including DA neurons. Using 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned nestin-CreER(T2)/R26R-YFP mice that allow genetic fate-mapping of SVZ nestin(+) cells, we show that TGFalpha-generated striatal cells originate from SVZ nestin(+) precursors that confirmed data from the rats on the phenotype and fate of striatal nestin(+)/PCNA(+) cells upon TGFalpha withdrawal. This work demonstrates that a large population of multipotent striatal C-like cells can be generated in the DA-depleted striatum that do not spontaneously differentiate into DA neurons.     

Neuroprotection of ischemic preconditioning is mediated by thioredoxin 2 in the hippocampal CA1 region following a subsequent transient cerebral ischemia

Preconditioning by brief ischemic episode induces tolerance to a subsequent lethal ischemic insult, and it has been suggested that reactive oxygen species are involved in this phenomenon. Thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), a small protein with redox‐regulating function, shows cytoprotective roles against oxidative stress. Here, we had focused on the role of Trx2 in ischemic preconditioning (IPC)‐mediated neuroprotection against oxidative stress followed by a subsequent lethal transient cerebral ischemia. Animals used in this study were randomly assigned to six groups; sham‐operated group, ischemia‐operated group, IPC plus (+) sham‐operated group, IPC + ischemia‐operated group, IPC + auranofin (a TrxR2 inhibitor) + sham‐operated group and IPC + auranofin + ischemia‐operated group. IPC was subjected to a 2 minutes of sublethal transient ischemia 1 day prior to a 5 minutes of lethal transient ischemia. A significant loss of neurons was found in the stratum pyramidale (SP) of the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) in the ischemia‐operated‐group 5 days after ischemia‐reperfusion; in the IPC + ischemia‐operated‐group, pyramidal neurons in the SP were well protected. In the IPC + ischemia‐operated‐group, Trx2 and TrxR2 immunoreactivities in the SP and its protein level in the CA1 were not significantly changed compared with those in the sham‐operated‐group after ischemia‐reperfusion. In addition, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression, superoxide anion radical ( ) production, denatured cytochrome c expression and TUNEL‐positive cells in the IPC + ischemia‐operated‐group were similar to those in the sham‐operated‐group. Conversely, the treatment of auranofin to the IPC + ischemia‐operated‐group significantly increased cell damage/death and abolished the IPC‐induced effect on Trx2 and TrxR2 expressions. Furthermore, the inhibition of Trx2R nearly cancelled the beneficial effects of IPC on SOD2 expression, production, denatured cytochrome c expression and TUNEL‐positive cells. In brief, this study shows that IPC conferred neuroprotection against ischemic injury by maintaining Trx2 and suggests that the maintenance or enhancement of Trx2 expression by IPC may be a legitimate strategy for therapeutic intervention of cerebral ischemia.