Minocycline attenuates white matter damage in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

White matter lesions are thought to result from chronic cerebral ischemia and constitute a core pathology of subcortical vascular dementia. This rarefaction has been known to be associated with microglial activation. We investigated whether minocycline, a microglial inhibitor, attenuates the white matter damage induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion that is used as a model of vascular dementia. Male Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral, permanent occlusion of the common carotid arteries (BCCAO) to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Minocycline or saline was injected daily for 2 weeks after BCCAO. In the corpus callosum and the optic tract, white matter damage observed with Klüver-Barrera staining was significantly attenuated in the minocycline-treated group compared to saline-treated controls. In control rats, immunoreactivities of major basic protein (MBP), Ox-42 as a microglial marker, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 were increased in the corpus callosum. Minocycline significantly reduced these changes. Co-expression of Ox-42 and MMP-2 was confirmed by double immunofluorescence histochemistry. Our results suggest that chronic treatment with minocycline could be protective against at least some ischemic white matter damage, and its mechanism may be related to suppressing microglial activation.     

Reactive astrocyte COX2‐PGE2 production inhibits oligodendrocyte maturation in neonatal white matter injury

Inflammation is a major risk factor for neonatal white matter injury (NWMI), which is associated with later development of cerebral palsy. Although recent studies have demonstrated maturation arrest of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in NWMI, the identity of inflammatory mediators with direct effects on OPCs has been unclear. Here, we investigated downstream effects of pro‐inflammatory IL‐1β to induce cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in white matter. First, we assessed COX2 expression in human fetal brain and term neonatal brain affected by hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In the developing human brain, COX2 was expressed in radial glia, microglia, and endothelial cells. In human term neonatal HIE cases with subcortical WMI, COX2 was strongly induced in reactive astrocytes with “A2” reactivity. Next, we show that OPCs express the EP1 receptor for PGE2, and PGE2 acts directly on OPCs to block maturation in vitro. Pharmacologic blockade with EP1‐specific inhibitors (ONO‐8711, SC‐51089), or genetic deficiency of EP1 attenuated effects of PGE2. In an IL‐1β‐induced model of NWMI, astrocytes also exhibit “A2” reactivity and induce COX2. Furthermore, in vivo inhibition of COX2 with Nimesulide rescues hypomyelination and behavioral impairment. These findings suggest that neonatal white matter astrocytes can develop “A2” reactivity that contributes to OPC maturation arrest in NWMI through induction of COX2‐PGE2 signaling, a pathway that can be targeted for neonatal neuroprotection.     

Intensity of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion determines white/gray matter injury and cognitive/motor dysfunction in mice

We sought to establish a mouse model of subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) that develops predominant white matter (WM) injury and cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Adult C57Bl/6 male (n = 48) mice were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery stenosis with external microcoils (inner diameters: 0.16 mm, left; 0.18 mm, right). Mice were categorized according to left-side cerebral blood flow (CBF) value on day 6 into those with severe cerebral hypoperfusion (SCH; n = 16, < 30% of preoperative CBF baseline value) or moderate cerebral hypoperfusion (MCH; n = 21, 30-50% of preoperative value). Another 15 mice were sham operated. Neurological dysfunction was evaluated by Morris water maze, rotating rod, and open field tests. Histopathological examination was performed on day 35 after surgery. MCH animals showed persistent hyperlocomotion with reduced anxiety and spatial reference memory dysfunction. Rarefaction and small necrotic lesions were predominantly confined to the WM, with reactive astrocytosis, microglial infiltration, axonal loss, and myelin disruption, and these changes were dominant on the left side. SCH animals had persistent hyperlocomotion and motor dysfunction, and their ischemic lesions extended from the WM to the hippocampus and cortex. In MCH animals, myelin basic protein and neurofilament fiber densities in the WM were correlated with the time spent in the correct area in the water maze probe trials. Our MCH mouse model with the development of several types of neurological dysfunction with high reproducibility would be useful for investigating the pathomechanisms of WM injury in human SIVD.     

Protective effects of edaravone on white matter pathology in a novel mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

White matter lesions (WMLs) caused by cerebral chronic hypoperfusion (CCH) may contribute to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic approaches have yet to be totally identified. In the present study, we investigated a potential therapeutic effect of the free radical scavenger edaravone (EDA) on WMLs in our previously reported novel mouse model of AD (APP23) plus CCH with motor and cognitive deficits. Relative to AD with CCH mice at 12 months (M) of age, EDA strongly improved CCH-induced WMLs in the corpus callosum of APP23 mice at 12 M by improving the disruption of white matter integrity, enhancing the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, attenuating endothelium/astrocyte unit dysfunction, and reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The present study demonstrates that the long-term administration of EDA may provide a promising therapeutic approach for WMLs in AD plus CCH disease with cognitive deficits.     

Influence of white matter injury on gray matter reactive gliosis upon stab wound in the adult murine cerebral cortex

Traumatic brain injury frequently affects the cerebral cortex, yet little is known about the differential effects that occur if only the gray matter (GM) is damaged or if the injury also involves the white matter (WM). To tackle this important question and directly compare similarities and differences in reactive gliosis, we performed stab wound injury affecting GM and WM (GM+) and one restricted to the GM (GM?) in the adult murine cerebral cortex. First, we examined glial reactivity in the regions affected (WM and GM) and determined the influence of WM injury on reactive gliosis in the GM comparing the same area in the two injury paradigms. In the GM+ injury microglia proliferation is increased in the WM compared with GM, while proliferating astrocytes are more abundant in the GM than in the WM. Interestingly, WM lesion exerted a strong influence on the proliferation of the GM glial cells that was most pronounced at early stages, 3 days post lesion. While astrocyte proliferation was increased, NG2 glia proliferation was decreased in the GM+ compared with GM‐ lesion condition. Importantly, these differences were not observed when a lesion of the same size affected only the GM. Unbiased proteomic analyses further corroborate our findings in support of a profound difference in GM reactivity when WM is also injured and revealed MIF as a key regulator of NG2 glia proliferation.     

急性缺血性脑卒中患者脑白质病变与HbA1c水平的相关性分析

目的探讨初发急性缺血性脑卒中患者脑白质病变(cerebral white matter disease,WMD)的血管危险因素,及其与Hb A1c水平的相关性。方法纳入初发急性缺血性脑卒中患者,收集患者入院当时及入院后第2天的影像学资料和血生化检查资料,根据患者WMD分级标准将患者分为4级。详细记录患者的人口统计学资料,血管危险因素和FLAIR序列显示的WMD影像资料并进行比较和分析。结果共纳入512例首发急性缺血性脑卒中患者,其中男性320(62.5%)例,460(89.8%)例患者存在WMD,其中无WMD患者52例,轻度WMD患者205例,中度WMD患者139例,重度WMD患者116例。单变量分析显示,高龄、高血压、肾小球滤过率降低,Hb A1c水平降低,男性与WMD呈正相关(P0.05)。进一步的多变量Logistic回归发现,高龄、高血压和Hb A1c增高是WMD的独立危险因素。结论急性缺血性脑卒中患者Hb A1c增高是WMD的独立危险因素之一。     

胃酶抑素A通过上调p-ERK1/2的表达来保护大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的 探讨胃酶抑素A(Pepstatin A)保护大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的潜在机制。方法 将48只成年雄性健康Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分配至假手术组(16只)、生理盐水对照组(16只)及Pepstatin A干预组(16只); 大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型遵照Zea longa线栓法制备,即缺血2 h即恢复血流灌注,再灌注24 h后处死大鼠; 干预组及对照组在脑缺血再灌注即刻分别经腹腔注射Pepstatin A配置液(0.2 mL/10 g)或等体积生理盐水; 脑缺血2 h再灌注24 h时采用标准评分法行神经功能缺损评分; 假手术组、对照组及干预组中随机各取8只检测脑梗死体积,余下8只大鼠行western blot检测p-ERK1/2及Caspase-3的表达水平。结果 神经功能缺损评分显示,假手术组大鼠行为学表现正常,评分为0分,干预组大鼠的评分均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。TTC染色显示,假手术组脑组织无梗死灶,干预组大鼠的相对脑梗死体积显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。Western blot检测显示,对照组p-ERK1/2蛋白的表达水平显著高于假手术组(P<0.05); 干预组该蛋白的表达水平较对照组显著增加(P<0.05); 干预组Caspase-3蛋白的相对表达水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 Pepstatin A可能通过上调p-ERK1/2的表达来减少脑梗死体积及细胞凋亡发生,从而保护大鼠脑缺血再灌注。     

Tissue kallikrein protects rat hippocampal CA1 neurons against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion‐induced injury through the B2R‐Raf‐MEK1/2‐ERK1/2 pathway

We have documented that tissue kallikrein (TK) prevents neurons from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury through the B2R‐ERK1/2 pathway and the antihypoxic function of TK through Homer1b/c‐ERK1/2 signaling pathways. The present study investigates the molecular mechanisms of exogenous TK activation of the B2R‐ERK1/2 pathway through the β‐arrestin‐2 assembled B2R‐Raf‐MEK1/2 signaling module in vivo. The cresyl violet staining results indicated that exogenous TK protected the rat hippocampal CA1 neurons against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunoblotting (IB) results revealed that exogenous TK upregulated the β‐arrestin‐2 assembled B2R‐Raf‐MEK1/2 signaling module and upregulated the phosphorylation of Raf (p‐Raf), MEK1/2 (p‐MEK1/2), and ERK1/2 (p‐ERK1/2). Meanwhile, exogenous TK upregulated the expression of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), depressed the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and bax from mitochondria to the cytosol, and depressed the activation of caspase‐3. Take together, our results suggest that exogenous TK attenuated the cerebral I/R induced rat hippocampal CA1 neurons injury through activating the β‐arrestin‐2 assembled B2R‐Raf‐MEK1/2 signaling module and that the activated B2R‐Raf‐MEK1/2 signaling module could upregulate the expression of NF‐κB, decrease the release of cytochrome c and bax from mitochondria to the cytosol, and depress the activation of caspase‐3. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

巴豆生物碱通过ERK1/2通路对脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤及自噬的影响

目的 探讨巴豆生物碱(Croton alkaloids,CA)通过细胞外调节蛋白激酶1/2(Extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2,ERK1/2)通路对脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤及自噬的影响。方法 50只大鼠建立大脑中动脉闭塞(Middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO)再灌注模型,造模成功大鼠(48只),并随机分为模型组(12只)、CA低剂量组(12只)、CA中剂量组(12只)和CA高剂量组(12只),其余10只为对照组; CA低、中和高剂量组分别注射0.6、1.2、2.4 mg/kg的CA注射液,连续注射7 d; 对照组及模型组给予等量生理盐水注射; 应用神经功能评分法评定大鼠神经功能缺损和改善情况; 苏木精-伊红染色法(Hematoxylin eosin staining,HE)检测大鼠脑组织海马神经元的形态及数量; 原位末端转移酶标记法(Terminal uridine nick end labeling,TUNEL)检测大鼠脑组织细胞凋亡; 实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real time quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组大鼠海马ERK1/2、哺乳动物同源蛋白(Mammalian homologous protein,Beclin-1)、微管相关蛋白1轻链3(Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3,LC3-Ⅱ)mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果 与模型组比较,CA低、中、高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05); 与CA低剂量组比较,CA中、高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05); 与CA中剂量组比较,CA高剂量组神经功能评分、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平提高,神经细胞凋亡率、Beclin-1,LC3-Ⅱ mRNA和蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05)。结论 CA可降低MCAO大鼠神经细胞凋亡率,在一定程度上修复MCAO大鼠神经功能,发挥神经保护作用,其机制可能与激活ERK1/2信号通路有关。     

Time-dependent effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in focal cerebral ischemia rats

BACKGROUND: The onset of focal cerebral ischemia activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, regulates cell cycle, promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, and affects the normal stage and function of brain cells.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The effects were analyzed at different time points after intervention.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University. MATERIALS: A total of 60 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing (250±10) g were provided by the Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Sun Yat-Sen University. The animal experiment was conducted with confirmed consent by the local ethics committee. The GB6805-Ⅱ electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Medical Equipment High-techno Company. METHODS: The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University, from February to July 2007. All experimental animals were randomly divided into the following groups: normal group (n = 6), sham operation group (n = 18), model group (n = 18), and electroacupuncture group (n = 18). Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in the model group and electroacupuncture group. Zea Longa's grading standard was used to assess neurological impairment after reperfusion; animals whose grades were between 1 and 4 were included in this study. The normal control group was not exposed to MCAO. In sham operation animals, the right common carotid artery (CCA) was isolated, and the external carotid artery (ECA) was damaged, but no embolism was induced. The electroacupuncture group was given acupuncture on the second day after surgery. The acupoint locations were chosen according to Experimental Acupuncture (People's Publishing House; 1997; First Edition). The Chengjiang, Qihai, and Guanyuan acupoints were labeled and connected to a G6805 electroacupuncture apparatus with sparse-dense waves (sparse waves were 30 Hz, dense waves were 100 Hz), with a frequency of 6-15 V. The duration was 20 minutes. Two days after surgery, the model and sham operation groups were placed with their backs on the operating table, but they received no acupuncture. However, the normal group received acupuncture. The experimental animals under anesthesia were sacrificed on days 7, 14, and 28 post-surgery. Western blot analysis was used to measure expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall. Expression was measured in the normal group at time points corresponding to the sham operation group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall at different time points after intervention.RESULTS: All 60 rats were included in the final analysis, without any loss. Seven days after MCAO, there was no significant difference in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the electroacupuncture group compared to the model group (P > 0.05). However, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression significantly increased in the model group at 14 and 28 days after treatment (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at the Ren channel can enhance extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 expression in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. However, this effect is not apparent until 14 days after electroacupuncture intervention.     

Time-dependent effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in focal cerebral ischemia rats**☆

BACKGROUND： The onset of focal cerebral ischemia activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, regulates cell cycle, promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, and affects the normal stage and function of brain cells. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The effects were analyzed at different time points after intervention. DESIGN： Randomized controlled study. SETTING： Department of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University. MATERIALS： A total of 60 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing （250±10） g were provided by the Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Sun Yat-Sen University. The animal experiment was conducted with confirmed consent by the local ethics committee. The GB6805-Ⅱ electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Medical Equipment High-techno Company. METHODS： The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University, from February to July 2007. All experimental animals were randomly divided into the following groups： normal group （n = 6）, sham operation group （n = 18）, model group （n = 18）, and electroacupuncture group （n = 18）. Middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） was performed in the model group and electroacupuncture group. Zea Longa＇s grading standard was used to assess neurological impairment after reperfusion; animals whose grades were between l and 4 were included in this study. The normal control group was not exposed to MCAO. In sham operation animals, the right common carotid artery （CCA） was isolated, and the external carotid artery （ECA） was damaged, but no embolism was induced. The electroacupuncture group was given acupuncture on the second day after surgery. The acupoint locations were chosen according to Experimental Acupuncture （People＇s Publishing House; 1997; First Edition）. The Chengjiang, Qihai, and     

Remote limb ischemic postconditioning protects mouse brain against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via upregulating expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 in mice

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) is a promising therapeutic intervention, which has been discovered to reduce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in heart, kidney, brain and skeletal muscle experimentally. However, its potential protective mechanisms have not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of RIPostC in cerebral I/R injury and explore the new putative mechanisms of neuroprotection elicited by it. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in male CD1 mice. RIPostC was generated by three cycles of 5-min reperfusion/5-min occlusion of the bilateral femoral artery on the bilateral limbs at the onset of middle cerebral artery reperfusion. RIPostC significantly improved neurological outcome, lessened infarct volume and brain edema, upregulated the expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and downregulaed the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). Taken together, these findings demonstrated that RIPostC protected the brain from I/R injury after focal cerebral ischemia by reducing oxidative stress and activating the Nrf2–ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway.     

ERK1/2信号通路在弥漫性脑损伤中激活规律的实验研究

目的探讨弥漫性脑损伤（DBI）中细胞外信号调节激酶1／2（ErtK1／2）信号传导通路激活的时空变化特征。方法参照Marmarou方法制作大鼠DBI模型，Westernblot法检测损伤脑组织磷酸化ERK1／2（pErtK1／2）蛋白的表达。免疫组织化学法检测pERK1／2阳性细胞在损伤脑组织不同区域的分布。结果大鼠DBI后脑组织pERK1／2表达显著增高，5min即达峰值，随即下降，但至12-24h又有回升，达到第二个峰值，并持续高水平表达至72h。DBI损伤后30min-3h主要见胞浆阳性染色，损伤后24h在胞核、胞浆均可见阳性染色，以胞核为主。pERK1／2免疫阳性细胞多见于脑皮质深层，其次为海马，室管膜和脉络丛也可见pERK1／2阳性染色。结论大鼠DBI后ERK1／2通路被迅速和持久激活，pERK1／2免疫阳性细胞多见于脑皮质深层，也可见于海马、室管膜和脉络丛。     

COL4A1/A2基因变异与出血性脑血管病及梗死后出血转化研究进展

4型胶原作为基底膜的重要组成部分,与脑出血过程中血脑屏障的破坏相关,是许多出血性脑血管病动物实验中血脑屏障破坏的观测指标之一。随着基因测序及分析技术的发展,借助全基因组关联分析等策略的临床研究发现,COL4A1/A2基因的变异不仅与一些单基因遗传综合征相关,也与散发性出血性脑血管病相关。研究COL4A1/A2变异与脑出血、蛛网膜下腔出血、梗死后出血转化为代表的散发性出血性脑血管病相关性,对于出血性脑血管病的发病机制、高危人群筛查、早期干预、治疗新思路是有益的。     

特异性抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路对大鼠急性脑缺血再灌注损伤后COX-2和VEGF表达水平的影响

目的 探讨特异性抑制蛋白酪氨酸激酶2/信号转导与激活子3(JAK2/STAT3)信号通路对急性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠脑组织环氧合酶-2(COX-2)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达水平的影响。方法 采用线栓法制备大鼠急性大脑中动脉闭塞再灌注模型; 大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和给药组; 给药组大鼠于再灌注前5 min腹腔注射JAK2/STAT3信号通路抑制剂AG490(1 mg/kg),其余2组给予等量生理盐水; 再灌注24 h后各组行神经功能缺损评分,用氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色法检测大鼠脑梗死体积,用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测脑组织中JAK2、STAT3、环氧合酶2(COX-2)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的mRNA相对表达水平,用蛋白印迹(Western blot)检测脑组织磷酸化JAK2(p-JAK2)、磷酸化STAT3(p-STAT3)、COX-2和VEGF的蛋白相对表达水平。结果 与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死体积、JAK2和STAT3的mRNA,p-JAK2和p-STAT3蛋白、COX-2的mRNA和蛋白相对表达水平均显著升高(P<0.05),VEGF的mRNA和蛋白相对表达水平显著降低(P<0.05); 与模型组比较,给药组大鼠神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死体积、JAK2和STAT3的mRNA、p-JAK2和p-STAT3蛋白、COX-2的mRNA和蛋白相对表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05),VEGF的mRNA和蛋白相对表达水平显著升高(P<0.05)。结论 特异性抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路可能通过降低脑组织中COX-2表达和促进VEGF表达来保护大鼠急性脑缺血再灌注损伤。     

IL‐1β induces hypomyelination in the periventricular white matter through inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation via FYN/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in septic neonatal rats

Neuroinflammation elicited by microglia plays a key role in periventricular white matter (PWM) damage (PWMD) induced by infectious exposure. This study aimed to determine if microglia‐derived interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) would induce hypomyelination through suppression of maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in the developing PWM. Sprague‐Dawley rats (1‐day old) were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, following which upregulated expression of IL‐1β and IL‐1 receptor 1 (IL‐1R₁) was observed. This was coupled with enhanced apoptosis and suppressed proliferation of OPCs in the PWM. The number of PDGFR‐α and NG2‐positive OPCs was significantly decreased in the PWM at 24 h and 3 days after injection of LPS, whereas it was increased at 14 days and 28 days. The protein expression of Olig1, Olig2, and Nkx2.2 was significantly reduced, and mRNA expression of Tcf4 and Axin2 was upregulated in the developing PWM after LPS injection. The expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and 2',3'‐cyclic‐nucleotide 3"‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) was downregulated in the PWM at 14 days and 28 days after LPS injection; this was linked to reduction of the proportion of myelinated axons and thinner myelin sheath as revealed by electron microscopy. Primary cultured OPCs treated with IL‐1β showed the failure of maturation and proliferation. Furthermore, FYN/MEK/ERK signaling pathway was involved in suppression of maturation of primary OPCs induced by IL‐1β administration. Our results suggest that following LPS injection, microglia are activated and produce IL‐1β in the PWM in the neonatal rats. Excess IL‐1β inhibits the maturation of OPCs via suppression of FYN/MEK/ERK phosphorylation thereby leading to axonal hypomyelination. GLIA 2016;64:583–602     

抑制ERK1/2对大鼠弥漫性脑损伤后细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨抑制细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERK1/2）对大鼠弥漫性脑损伤（DBI）后脑组织细胞凋亡的影响。方法 按随机数字表法将228只成年SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（n=12）、DBI组（n=72）、阻滞剂组（n=72）、对照组（n=72）,后三组按动物处死时间分为30 min、3 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d六个亚组,每亚组12只。参照Mamarou自由落体方法制作重型DBI模型。阻滞剂组损伤后尾静脉注射ERK1/2特异性阻滞剂U0126（0.05 mg/kg）,对照组注射等量溶剂二甲基亚砜。免疫印迹法法检测脑组织磷酸化ERK1/2（pERK1/2）的表达水平,免疫组化法检测Caspase-3表达,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果 伤后30 min,脑组织pERK1/2表达水平显著增高（P<0.05）,并持续高水平表达至72 h,伤后7 d与假手术组无统计学差异（P>0.05）。伤后3 h,脑组织Caspase-3表达水平和细胞凋亡率均明显增高,72 h达到高峰,伤后7 d仍明显高于假手术组（P<0.05）。伤后30 min、3 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d,阻滞剂组脑组织Caspase-3表达水平和细胞凋亡率均明显低于DBI组和对照组（P<0.05）,而DBI组和对照组均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 阻滞ERK1/2通路,可显著抑制DBI大鼠脑组织Caspase-3的表达,降低细胞凋亡率。     

细胞外信号调节激酶1/2与Rho激酶作用对脑梗死后神经血管单元的影响

目的研究脑梗死后细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK_(1/2))和Rho激酶(ROCK)两条信号通路通过相互作用激活下游效应分子多聚ADP核糖聚合酶-1(PARP-1)来调控脑梗死后神经血管单元。方法该实验分为两个部分:35只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(s)和脑梗死组(M),脑梗死组根据脑梗死后时间不同又分为1h、3h、12h、24h、3d和7d六个亚组,分别采用westem blot检测假手术组及脑梗死组各亚组ERK_(1/2)、ROCK蛋白表达水平。35只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、U0126组、Fasudil组和U0126+Fasudil组,分别检测神经功能、脑梗死面积以及ROCK、ERK_(1/2)及PARP-1的蛋白表达水平。结果假手术组各个时间点总ERK_(1/2)/2和p-ERK_(1/2)表达相同。脑梗死组总ERK_(1/2)表达不变,p-ERK_(1/2)表达先降低后升高,24h时达最高峰。脑梗死组ROCK的表达随时问的延长逐渐升高,12h表达达高峰,随后表达下降。模型组与对照组相比,p-ERK_(1/2)、ROCK及PARP-1的表达显著提高(P0.05);与模型组相比,Fasudil组p-ERK_(1/2)的表达下降(P0.05),而U0126组ROCK表达无变化(p0.05),Fasudil组、U0126组及Fasudil组+U0126组PARFP-1的表达显著下降(P0.05),其中以U0126+Fasudil组下降最为显著。结论 ERK_(1/2)和ROCK都参与了脑梗死后脑组织的损伤,ERK_(1/2)可能作为ROCK的下游效应分子,与ROCK共同调节PARP-1的表达进而调控脑梗死后神经血管单元的存亡。