Early appearance of activated matrix metalloproteinase-9 and blood–brain barrier disruption in mice after focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption is thought to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that can degrade all the components of the extracellular matrix when they are activated. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) and gelatinase B (MMP-9) are able to digest the endothelial basal lamina, which plays a major role in maintaining BBB impermeability. The present study examined the expression and activation of gelatinases before and after transient focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) in mice. Adult male CD1 mice were subjected to 60 min FCI and reperfusion. Zymography was performed from 1 to 23 h after reperfusion using the protein extraction method with detergent extraction and affinity-support purification. MMP-9 expression was also examined by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, and tissue inhibitors to metalloproteinase-1 was measured by reverse zymography. The BBB opening was evaluated by the Evans blue extravasation method. The 88-kDa activated MMP-9 was absent from the control specimens, while it appeared 3 h after transient ischemia by zymography. At this time point, the BBB permeability alteration was detected in the ischemic brain. Both pro-MMP-9 (96 kDa) and pro-MMP-2 (72 kDa) were seen in the control specimens, and were markedly increased after FCI. A significant induction of MMP-9 was confirmed by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The early appearance of activated MMP-9, associated with evidence of BBB permeability alteration, suggests that activation of MMP-9 contributes to the early formation of vasogenic edema after transient FCI.     

Early appearance of activated matrix metalloproteinase-9 after focal cerebral ischemia in mice: a possible role in blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

During cerebral ischemia blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a critical event leading to vasogenic edema and secondary brain injury. Gelatinases A and B are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) able to open the BBB. The current study analyzes by zymography the early gelatinases expression and activation during permanent ischemia in mice (n = 15). ProMMP-9 expression was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in ischemic regions compared with corresponding contralateral regions after 2 hours of ischemia (mean 694.7 arbitrary units [AU], SD +/- 238.4 versus mean 107.6 AU, SD +/- 15.6) and remained elevated until 24 hours (mean 745.7 AU, SD +/- 157.4). Moreover, activated MMP-9 was observed 4 hours after the initiation of ischemia. At the same time as the appearance of activated MMP-9, we detected by the Evan's blue extravasation method a clear increase of BBB permeability. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was not modified during permanent ischemia at any time. The ProMMP-2 was significantly (P < 0.05) increased only after 24 hours of permanent ischemia (mean 213.2 AU, SD +/- 60.6 versus mean 94.6 AU, SD +/- 13.3), and no activated form was observed. The appearance of activated MMP-9 after 4 hours of ischemia in correlation with BBB permeability alterations suggests that MMP-9 may play an active role in early vasogenic edema development after stroke.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and blood brain barrier permeability in the rat brain after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: The integrity of the blood brain barrier (BBB) plays an important role in the patho-physiological process of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. It has been recently observed that metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is closely related to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuryOBJECTIVE: This study was designed to observe MMP-9 expression in the rat brain after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and to investigate its correlation to BBB permeability.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This study, a randomized controlled animal experiment, was performed at the Institute of Neurobiology, Central South University between September 2005 and March 2006.MATERIALS: Ninety healthy male SD rats, aged 3-4 months, weighing 200-280g, were used in the present study. Rabbit anti-rat MMP-9 polyclonal antibody (Boster, Wuhan, China) and Evans blue (Sigma, USA) were also used.METHODS: All rats were randomly divided into 9 groups with 10 rats in each group: normal control group, sham-operated group, and ischemia for 2 hours followed by reperfusion for 3,6,12 hours, 1,2,4 and 7 days groups. In the ischemia/reperfusion groups, rats were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury by suture occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. In the sham-operated group, rats were merely subjected to vessel dissociation. In the normal control group, rats were not modeled.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BBB permeability was assessed by determining the level of effusion of Evans blue. MMP-9 expression was detected by an immunohistochemical method.RESULTS: All 90 rats were included in the final analysis. BBB permeability alteration was closely correlated to ischemia/reperfusion time. BBB permeability began to increase at ischemia/reperfusion for 3 hours, then it gradually reached a peak level at ischemia/reperfusion for 1 day, and thereafter it gradually decreased. MMP-9 expression began to increase at ischemia/reperfusion for 3 hours, then gradually reached its peak level 2 days after perfusion, and thereafter it gradually decreased.CONCLUSION: MMP-9 expression increases in rat brain tissue after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, which correlates with increased permeability of the BBB.     

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator induces blood-brain barrier breakdown by a matrix metalloproteinase-9-independent pathway after transient focal cerebral ischemia in mouse

The role of the inducible matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after ischemic stroke is well accepted. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) is the only approved thrombolytic treatment of ischemic stroke but r-tPA is potentially neurotoxic. Vasogenic edema after r-tPA treatment has been linked with an increase in cerebral MMP-9. However, because cerebral ischemia clearly increases the levels of endogenous tPA, the consequence of additional r-tPA may be questionable. In this study, wild type and MMP-9 knockout mice were subjected to 90 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with 10 mg/kg r-tPA. At 24 h after occlusion, BBB permeability, hemispheric enlargement, collagen and laminin degradation as well as cerebral infarction were increased in both wild type and MMP-9 knockout treated animals as compared with non-treated animals. Mortality was increased in wild type but reduced in knockout treated mice. Cerebral MMP-9 concentration was not modified by r-tPA. However, pre-treatment with p-aminobenzoyl-gly-pro-D-leu-D-ala-hydroxamate, a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, counteracted the effects of r-tPA on the neurovascular unit and decreased mortality in both wild type and knockout mice. MMP inhibition did not modify cerebral infarction in r-tPA-treated animals. Our results suggest that r-tPA toxicity is mainly independent of MMP-9 after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion but could involve some other MMPs. Additionally, our results support the hypothesis of a dissociation between r-tPA-dependent mechanisms of BBB breakdown and cerebral infarction. Due to the importance of r-tPA in thrombolytic treatment of ischemic stroke patients, the MMPs that could participate in r-tPA-induced BBB disruption should be further characterized.     

Inhibition of VEGF signaling pathway attenuates hemorrhage after tPA treatment

An angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), might be associated with the blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption after focal cerebral ischemia; however, it remains unknown whether hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment is related to the activation of VEGF signaling pathway in BBB. Here, we hypothesized that inhibition of VEGF signaling pathway can attenuate HT after tPA treatment. Rats subjected to thromboembolic focal cerebral ischemia were assigned to a permanent ischemia group and groups treated with tPA at 1 or 4 hours after ischemia. Anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody or control antibody was administered simultaneously with tPA. At 24 hours after ischemia, we evaluated the effects of the antibody on the VEGF expression, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activation, degradation of BBB components, and HT. Delayed tPA treatment at 4 hours after ischemia promoted expression of VEGF in BBB, MMP-9 activation, degradation of BBB components, and HT. Compared with tPA and control antibody, combination treatment with tPA and the anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody significantly attenuated VEGF expression in BBB, MMP-9 activation, degradation of BBB components, and HT. It also improved motor outcome and mortality. Inhibition of VEGF signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy for attenuating HT after tPA treatment.     

A Lipoxin A<Subscript>4</Subscript> Analog Ameliorates Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction and Reduces MMP-9 Expression in a Rat Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

LXA₄ methyl ester (LXA₄ME), a lipoxin A₄ analog, reduces ischemic insult in the rat models of transient or permanent cerebral ischemic injury. We investigated whether LXA₄ME could ameliorate blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction after stroke by reducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression. Adult male rats were subjected to 2-h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24-h reperfusion. Brain infarctions were detected by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. BBB dysfunction was determined by examining brain edema and Evans Blue extravasation. Temporal expression of MMP-9 was determined by zymography and Western blot. The presence of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) was also determined by Western blot in tissue protein sample. Brain edema and Evans Blue leakage were significantly reduced after stroke in the LXA₄ME group and were associated with reduced brain infarct volumes. MMP-9 activity and expression were inhibited by LXA₄ME after stroke. In addition, LXA₄ME significantly increased TIMP-1 protein levels. Our results indicate that LXA₄ME reduces brain injury by improving BBB function in a rat model of MCAO, and that a relationship exists between BBB permeability and MMP-9 expression following ischemic insult. Furthermore, these results suggest that LXA₄ME-mediated reduction of MMP-9 following stroke are attributed to increased TIMP-1 expression.     

依达拉奉对脑缺血大鼠重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂溶栓后金属蛋白酶9表达的影响

目的 观察依达拉奉对脑缺血大鼠重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（rt-PA）溶栓后基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）的表达的影响,探讨依达拉奉对溶栓后脑组织的保护作用。方法 采用大鼠自体血栓栓塞大脑中动脉闭塞（MCAO）模型,112只入选的SD大鼠分为假手术组（A组）、模型对照组（B组）、rt-PA溶栓组（C组）及依达拉奉联合rt-PA组（D组）,每组大鼠28只。应用红四氮唑染色观察各组大鼠脑梗死的体积百分比,同时进行神经功能缺损程度评分（SSS）,免疫组织化学方法检测各组大鼠脑MMP-9的表达及相应病理学检查。结果 与模型对照组比较,rt-PA溶栓组比较,脑梗死体积百分比及SSS评分降低,MMP-9表达明显降低（P＜0.05～0.01）。与rt-PA溶栓组比较,依达拉奉联合rt-PA组脑梗死体积百分比及SSS评分降低,MMP-9表达明显降低（P＜0.05～0.01）。结论 依达拉奉可有效的抑制rt-PA溶栓后的大鼠脑梗死范围增大,抑制MMP-9的过度表达,从而减轻对血脑屏障的破坏,进而可能延长溶栓治疗的时间窗,进一步阻止脑梗死体积扩大和改善神经功能。     

Exercise pre-conditioning ameliorates blood-brain barrier dysfunction in stroke by enhancing basal lamina

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether exercise pre-conditioning ameliorates stroke-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction by strengthening basal lamina. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 30 minute exercise program on a treadmill each day for 3 weeks. Stroke was induced by a 2 hour middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion using an intraluminal filament in the exercised and non-exercised groups. BBB dysfunction was then determined by brain edema. Expression of collagen IV, the major component of basal lamina essential for maintenance of the endothelial permeability barrier, was quantitatively detected by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Ex vivo techniques were used to compare collagen IV-labeled vessels in response to ischemic insult. RESULTS: Brain edema was significantly (p<0.05) reduced after stroke in the exercised group. Western blot analysis indicated that exercise pre-conditioning enhanced collagen IV expression and reduced the loss after stroke. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that collagen IV-positive vessels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in exercised rats. In ex vivo study, after exercised brain was incubated with ischemic brain tissue, a significantly (p<0.01) higher expression of collagen IV in cortex and striatum was observed compared to non-exercised brain following the same treatment. The ex vivo study also revealed that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 plays a key role in exercise-strengthened collagen IV expression against ischemia/reperfusion injury. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that exercise pre-conditioning improved BBB function and enhanced basal lamina, which involved MMP-9.     

MMP-9 Upregulation is Attenuated by the Monoclonal TLR2 Antagonist T2.5 After Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation in Rat Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Background

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption plays a key role in the pathophysiology of acute ischemic stroke. Matrix metalloproteinases-2/9 (MMP-2/9) have been shown to participate in the disruption of the BBB and hemorrhagic transformation after cerebral ischemia. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) may also be correlated with endothelial cell injury during ischemia-reperfusion events. However, the correlation between MMP-2/9 and TLR2 on endothelial cells after ischemia has not yet been evaluated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of TLR2 and MMP-2/9 on tight junction proteins (TJs) after oxygen–glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGDR).

癫痈大鼠血脑屏障通透性与脑基质金属蛋白酶-9表达的相关性研究

目的：研究癫痫大鼠血脑屏障（BBB）通透性改变与基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）表达的相关性。方法：用荧光显微镜及免疫组化方法观察不同处理因素下伊文思蓝（EB）海马区染色程度及MMP-9免疫反应阳性表达的变化。结果：正常情况下，大鼠海马区EB透过量和MMP-9免疫反应阳性表达较少。致痫后EB在海马区的透过量及MMP-9免疫反应阳性表达增多。地塞米松对海马区EB透过量和MMP-9免疫反应阳性表达有抑制作用。结论：癫痫大鼠脑内海马区MMP-9的表达与BBB通透性改变时相一致。地塞米松对这一过程有显著的抑制作用。     

Lipocalin-2 deficiency attenuates neuroinflammation and brain injury after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a secreted protein of the lipocalin family, but little is known about the expression or the role of LCN2 in the central nervous system. Here, we investigated the role of LCN2 in ischemic stroke using a rodent model of transient cerebral ischemia. Lipocalin-2 expression was highly induced in the ischemic brain and peaked at 24 hours after reperfusion. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, LCN2 was predominantly expressed in astrocytes and endothelial cells, whereas its receptor (24p3R) was mainly detected in neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells. Brain infarct volumes, neurologic scores, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeabilities, glial activation, and inflammatory mediator expression were significantly lower in LCN2-deficient mice than in wild-type animals. Lipocalin-2 deficiency also attenuated glial neurotoxicity in astrocyte/neuron cocultures after oxygen-glucose deprivation. Our results indicate LCN2 has a critical role in brain injury after ischemia/reperfusion, and that LCN2 may contribute to neuronal cell death in the ischemic brain by promoting neurotoxic glial activation, neuroinflammation, and BBB disruption.     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on blood-brain barrier permeability and MMP-9 expression of ischemic brain

The study was designed to investigate the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in subsequent ischemic hemisphere. Rats were divided into four groups, one group was used as control, and the other three groups were given three different pretreatments: the first group received a saline injection into the right internal carotid artery (SI), the second group underwent both left and right carotid arteries occlusion (BCAO), and the third group was treated with BCAO and SI simultaneously (BS). After 24 hours of pretreatments, the focal cerebral ischemia was induced by inserting a thread into the right middle cerebral artery causing occlusion (MCAO). Brain water content, BBB permeability and MMP-9 expression of ischemic hemisphere brains were measured at 24 and 48 hours after MCAO. After 24 and 48 hours MCAO, averages for brain water content were 82.92 and 83.12% in BS group, 85.19 and 85.73% in SI group and 86.06 and 85.88% in BCAO group. Evans blue content of ischemic hemispheres were 14.01 and 11.74 microg/mm(3) at 24 and 48 hours after MCAO in BS group, which were lower than the other two groups, 16.22, 15.01 and 16.61, 15.58 microg/mm(3), respectively (p<0.01). The expression levels of MMP-9 in ischemic hemisphere in BS were lower than that in other two groups (p<0.01). Therefore, ischemic preconditioning could ameliorate brain edema and BBB disruption caused by subsequent cerebral ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning could decrease MMP-9 protein and mRNA expression, which may be an important mechanism of cerebral ischemic tolerance.     

米诺环素对脑缺血再灌注后明胶酶活性及血脑屏障影响的研究

目的 探讨米诺环素对大鼠局部脑缺血再灌后血脑屏障损伤的影响及其作用机制.方法 28只Wistar大鼠分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组、米诺环素组和生理盐水组.运用磁共振成像监测缺血再灌后血脑屏障损伤及梗死体积的变化,再灌注24h后进行神经功能缺陷评分和脑组织明胶酶活性测定.结果 缺血再灌后3.5h及24h,米诺环素组DWI、T2WI上异常高信号体积,T1WI增强扫描的信号强化范围、信号强度均明显低于缺血再灌注组和生理盐水组（P＜0.05）;与后两组相比,米诺环素组神经功能缺陷评分及脑组织明胶酶活性亦显著降低（P＜0.05）.结论 米诺环素能显著减轻缺血再灌注早期血脑屏障损伤,缩小梗死体积,促进神经功能恢复,其保护机制可能与米诺环素抑制脑组织明胶酶活性有关.     

17beta-Estradiol attenuates blood-brain barrier disruption induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in female rats

Disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB), mediated through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is a critical event during cerebral ischemia. While neuroprotective effects of estrogens have been well established in ischemic stroke models, the effects of estrogens on BBB integrity remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we determined effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on BBB disruption induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia and its effects on MMP2 and MMP9 activation. Transient cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion for 1 h followed by reperfusion in ovariectomized rats. E2 (100 microg/kg) or vehicle was administered 2 h before MCA occlusion. BBB integrity was determined by fluorescent detection of extravasated Evans blue. In separate experiments, effect of E2 on MMP2 and MMP9 expression and activation was determined by immunoblot and MMPs activity assay. E2 treatment prevented more than 50% and 30% of BBB disruption in the ischemic cortex and subcortex at 4 h after reperfusion, respectively. MMP2 and MMP9 expression was elevated at 2 h and peaked at 4 h after reperfusion in the ischemic cortex, which was markedly reduced by E2 treatment. E2 treatment also attenuated the increase of MMPs activity induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. In conclusion, estrogens could attenuate BBB disruption induced by transient cerebral ischemia, by inhibition of MMP2 and MMP9 activation. Our results suggest an important role of estrogens as multiple targeting protectants against ischemic stroke on cellular as well as vascular components of central nervous system.     

Early inhibition of MMP activity in ischemic rat brain promotes expression of tight junction proteins and angiogenesis during recovery

In cerebral ischemia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a dual role by acutely disrupting tight junction proteins (TJPs) in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and chronically promoting angiogenesis. Since TJP remodeling of the neurovascular unit (NVU) is important in recovery and early inhibition of MMPs is neuroprotective, we hypothesized that short-term MMP inhibition would reduce infarct size and promote angiogenesis after ischemia. Adult spontaneously hypertensive rats had a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion. At the onset of ischemia, they received a single dose of the MMP inhibitor, GM6001. They were studied at multiple times up to 4 weeks with immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We observed newly formed vessels in peri-infarct regions at 3 weeks after reperfusion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI showed BBB opening in new vessels. Along with the new vessels, pericytes expressed zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and MMP-3, astrocytes expressed ZO-1, occludin, and MMP-2, while endothelial cells expressed claudin-5. The GM6001, which reduced tissue loss at 3 to 4 weeks, significantly increased new vessel formation with expression of TJPs and MMPs. Our results show that pericytes and astrocytes act spatiotemporally, contributing to extraendothelial TJP formation, and that MMPs are involved in BBB restoration during recovery. Early MMP inhibition benefits neurovascular remodeling after stroke.     

局部亚低温对大鼠脑出血后基质金属蛋白酶-9及血脑屏障通透性的影响

目的探讨局部亚低温对大鼠自体血注入法脑出血模型基质金属蛋白酶-9(matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)mRNA及蛋白表达的影响以及局部亚低温减轻脑出血后水肿的可能机制。方法雄性Wistar大鼠240只,随机分为脑出血(ICH)组和脑出血加局部亚低温(ICH H)组。每组分为对照、脑出血后6h、24h、72h、5d、7d共6个亚组,ICH H组于注血后立即给以4h的局部亚低温治疗,各亚组分别进行血脑屏障(BBB)通透性、脑水含量的检测以及应用RT-PCR及Western印记对MMP-9进行测定。结果ICH组大鼠脑内注血后6h开始出现脑组织水含量(P<0.01)及BBB通透性(P<0.05)的显著增加,二者在72h达到高峰,然后逐渐消退,ICH组MMP-9蛋白表达量与脑含水量和血脑屏障通透性呈正相关(r=0.88和r=0.96),ICH组MMP-9 mRNA表达量也与脑含水量和血脑屏障通透性呈正相关(r=0.78和r=0.85)。ICH H组大鼠脑组织水含量、BBB通透性以及MMP-9蛋白的表达与ICH组各时间点相比较,明显降低,而MMP-9 mRNA的表达与ICH组相比仅有轻度下降。结论脑出血后MMP-9的变化与BBB通透性和脑水肿密切相关,局部亚低温可以抑制脑出血后MMP-9蛋白表达的增加以及脑水肿的形成。提示局部亚低温可能通过影响MMP-9的变化来抑制脑出血后的水肿形成。     

Specific Role of Tight Junction Proteins Claudin-5, Occludin,and ZO-1 of the Blood–Brain Barrier in a Focal Cerebral Ischemic Insult

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage plays a key role in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury. It is quite necessary to further explore the characteristic and mechanism of BBB leakage during stroke. We induced a focal cerebral ischemia model by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in male rats for defining the time course of BBB permeability within 120 h following reperfusion and evaluate the specific role of tight junction (TJ) associated proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 as well as protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) pathway in BBB leakage induced by reperfusion injury. We verified a bimodal increase in the permeability of the BBB following focal ischemia by Evans blue assay. Two peaks of BBB permeability appeared at 3 h and 72 h of reperfusion after 2 h focal ischemia, respectively. The leak at the endothelial cell was represented at the level of transmission electron microscopy. TTC staining results showed increased infarct size with time after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The mRNA and protein expression levels of these three TJ associated proteins were significantly decreased compared with the sham-operated group within 120 h of reperfusion, corresponding to the time-dependent change of the biphasic pattern in BBB leakage. The redistribution of claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 in ischemia brain microvascular endothelial cells was observed at the same time points. In addition, Western blot assay revealed PKCδ level was also significantly increased in a similar biphasic pattern to above results within 120 h after cerebral ischemia–reperfusion. This study demonstrates the timing of TJ associated proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 in light of BBB permeability associated with cerebral ischemia reperfusion, and suggests PKCδ pathway may participate in TJ barrier open and BBB leakage during reperfusion injury in a time-dependent manner.     

MiR-21 involve in ERK-mediated upregulation of MMP9 in the rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia

Matrix metallinoprotease-9 (MMP9) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of post-ischemic blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and the formation of lesions after cerebral ischemia. In this study we investigate the effect of brain-specific miRNAs on MMP-9 protein level in the rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia and its underlying mechanism. Cerebral ischemia significantly upregulated miR-21 and -224 in the hippocampus; however, expression of miR-122 and -338-3p was not significantly affected by ischemia. Silencing of miR-21, but not -224, reduced MMP9 protein level after cerebral ischemia. Downregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling using the ERK inhibitor U0126 and the calcium-channel blocker ketamine inhibited the upregulation of miR-21 expression and MMP9 protein level after cerebral ischemia. The study suggests that cerebral ischemia up-regulates expression level of miR-21, which is involved in ERK-stimulated upregulation of MMP9 following cerebral ischemia via a calcium-dependent mechanism.     

Potential contribution of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, aquaporin-4, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 to blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

The current research aimed to investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and cerebral edema formation in a rat subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. The SAH model was induced by injection of 0.3 ml fresh arterial, non-heparinized blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in 20 s. Anti-AQP-4 antibody, minocycline (an inhibitor of MMP-9), or 2-methoxyestradiol (an inhibitor of HIF-1α), was administered intravenously at 2 and 24 h after SAH. Brain samples were extracted at 48 h after SAH and examined for protein expressions, BBB impairment, and brain edema. Following SAH, remarkable edema and BBB extravasations were observed. Compared with the control group, the SAH animals have significantly upregulated expressions of HIF-1α, AQP-4, and MMP-9, in addition to decreased amounts of laminin and tight junction proteins. Brain edema was repressed after inhibition of AQP-4, MMP-9, or HIF-1α. Although BBB permeability was also ameliorated after inhibition of either HIF-1α or MMP-9, it was not modulated after inhibition of AQP-4. Inhibition of MMP-9 reversed the loss of laminin. Finally, inhibition of HIF-1α significantly suppressed the level of AQP-4 and MMP-9, which could induce the expression of laminin and tight junction proteins. Our results suggest that HIF-1α plays a role in brain edema formation and BBB disruption via a molecular signaling pathway involving AQP-4 and MMP-9. Pharmacological intervention of this pathway in patients with SAH may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for early brain injury.