精氨酸加压素对星形胶质细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨不同浓度精氨酸加压素(arginine vasopressin,AVP)对原代培养大鼠星形胶质细胞凋亡的影响,以及p38 MAPK途径在该过程中的作用.方法 采用大鼠大脑皮质分离星形胶质细胞,以500 nmol/LAVP处理星形胶质细胞1、6、12、24 h,以及500 nmol/L AVP分别与V1a受体(V1.R)拮抗剂、SB 203580共同处理星形胶质细胞1、6、12、24 h,采用MTT法测定星形胶质细胞存活率变化;以50、100、500 nmol/L AVP对星形胶质细胞分别处理1、6、12、24 h,以及500 nmol/L AVP分别与V1a受体(V1aR)拮抗剂、SB 203580共同处理星形胶质细胞1、6、12、24 h,采用TUNEL法检测星形胶质凋亡情况.结果 以500 nmol/L AVP干预6、12、24 h后,星形胶质细胞存活率下降(P＜0.01),而V1aR拮抗剂、SB 203580与500 nmol/L AVP共同干预星形胶质细胞后,各时间点存活率与对照组比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05).以50、100 nmol/L AVP分别干预1、6、12、24 h未发现星形胶质细胞凋亡数增加(P＞0.05),而500 nmol/L AVP干预6、12、24 h后,星形胶质细胞凋亡细胞增多,24 h达高峰(P＜0.01).V1aR拮抗剂、SB 203580与500 nmol/L AVP共同干预后,各时间点细胞凋亡数未见显著增加(P＞0.05).结论 高浓度AVP能导致星形胶质存活率下降,细胞凋亡增多;V1aR拮抗剂及p38MAPK抑制剂能抑制高浓度AVP诱导的星形胶质细胞凋亡,可能对减轻脑损伤过程中AVP造成的继发损害具有一定作用.     

p38MAPK在体外培养星形胶质细胞缺氧/复氧损伤中的表达

目的 建立SD大鼠星形胶质细胞缺氧复氧损伤模型,探讨p38MAPK活性变化与星形胶质细胞损伤的关系.方法 体外培养新生SD大鼠星形胶质细胞,实验设正常对照组（N）、SB203580组（SB组,10 μmol/L）、缺氧/复氧组（H/R组）和缺氧/复氧组＋SB203580阻断p38MAPK组（H/R＋SB组）.应用MTT法、WB法、ELISA法检测缺氧4 h、8 h、复氧6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h时细胞存活率,p38MAPK、p-p38（磷酸化p38MAPK）及TNF-α的变化.结果 培养星形胶质细胞GFAP阳性表达率大于97%.缺氧/复氧使星形胶质细胞活力降低,SB203580阻断p38MAPK细胞活力高于H/R组,各组星形胶质细胞总p38MAPK水平无显著变化,缺氧复氧干预后p-p38表达上调,TNF-α水平显著增高.用SB203580阻断p38MAPK通路后,SB＋H/R组较H/R组p-p38、TNF-α水平降低.SB组总p38MAPK、p-p38、TNF-α水平与N组比较无显著变化.结论 p38MAPK信号通路参与了星形胶质细胞缺氧复氧损伤过程.     

TLR4-P38MAPK信号通路在LPS诱导BV2细胞中的表达及意义

目的观察LPS诱导小胶质细胞后信号通路Toll样受体4(TLR4)-p38蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)的表达及意义。方法体外培养BV2小胶质细胞,分为对照组、LPS诱导组(LPS刺激12h及24h)及SB203580干预组(LPS+SB203580诱导12h及24h),应用ELISA法检测各组TNF-α、IL-6水平,RT-PCR法检测各组TLR4mRNA和p38MAPK mRNA的表达变化。结果 LPS诱导组细胞分泌TNF-α、IL-6水平显著提高,诱导24h后细胞上清液含量分别为(513.67±14.05)pg/mg和(396.84±15.41)pg/mg。给予SB203580抑制剂后TLR4mRNA和p38MAPK mRNA表达明显减弱,细胞分泌TNF-α、IL-6含量表达与感染组比较也明显降低。结论 LPS刺激小胶质细胞可引起TLR4-p38MAPK信号通路的活化并释放炎性细胞因子,而SB203580则对其有明显的抑制作用,证明TLR4-p38MAPK信号通路与小胶质细胞的炎性活化密切相关。     

SH-SY5Y细胞α7尼古丁受体蛋白抑制对tau蛋白及p38 MAPK通路的影响及其与AD发病机制的关系

目的研究α7尼古丁受体(nAChR)蛋白抑制对SH-SY5Y细胞tau蛋白磷酸化水平的影响及其与p38 MAPK通路的关系,探讨α7 nAChR调节tau蛋白磷酸化的相关机制。方法用α7 nAChR阻断剂MLA阻断SH-SY5Y细胞α7 nAChR蛋白的活化及其表达,用p38 MAPK阻断剂SB203580阻断SH-SY5Y细胞p38 MAPK信号通路蛋白的活化及其表达,Western blotting方法测定tau蛋白、p-tau(S404)、p-tau(S214)、α7 nAChR、p38 MAPK及p-p38 MAPK(Thr180/Tyr182)蛋白表达水平。结果细胞经MLA处理后,p-tau(S404)和p-tau(S214)蛋白水平明显升高(P0.01),p-p38 MAPK和α7 nAChR蛋白水平明显降低(P0.01),tau蛋白和p38 MAPK蛋白水平保持不变;经SB203580处理后,SB203580及MLA共同处理后均引起p-tau(S404)、p-tau(S214)、p-p38 MAPK和α7nAChR蛋白水平显著降低(P0.01),tau蛋白和p38 MAPK蛋白水平无变化。结论α7 nAChR可通过阻断p38MAPK信号传导通路抑制tau蛋白过度磷酸化。     

川芎嗪干预转化生长因子β1诱导肝星状细胞结缔组织生长因子表达中p38丝裂酶原激活蛋白激酶的途径

背景：前期研究发现川芎嗪可通过抑制肝星状细胞的增殖和阻断Ⅰ,Ⅲ胶原的合成,下调结缔组织生长因子的表达等,发挥抗肝纤维化的作用,但具体机制尚不清楚。 目的：观察川芎嗪对体外培养肝星状细胞表达结缔组织生长因子的影响,以及p38丝裂酶原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)信号通路在其中的作用。 方法：用5 μg/L转化生长因子β1诱导活化体外培养的肝星状细胞,用川芎嗪和p38MAPK特异阻断剂SB203580进行干预,以RT-PCR法检测结缔组织生长因子 mRNA和Ⅰ型胶原mRNA的表达,Western blot法检测磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：经转化生长因子β1诱导后,肝星状细胞中结缔组织生长因子和Ⅰ型胶原mRNA表达显著增强(P < 0.01),用川芎嗪和SB203580干预后,结缔组织生长因子和Ⅰ型胶原mRNA的表达均出现不同程度的下降。但川芎嗪和川芎嗪+SB203580混合干预对这两者的基因表达抑制作用比单独的SB203580干预更强。川芎嗪和SB203580对磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白表达也都有明显的抑制作用(P < 0.01),但SB203580和川芎嗪+SB203580对其磷酸化蛋白表达抑制作用更明显,而SB203580与川芎嗪+SB203580无明显差异(P > 0.05)。因此,推测川芎嗪可能通过抑制转化生长因子β1诱导的结缔组织生长因子基因表达,阻断Ⅰ型胶原合成,其作用途径可能与抑制p38mapk信号通路有关,同时认为川芎嗪抗纤维化可能是多重作用靶点。     

p38 MAPK信号通路在小胶质细胞激活介导多巴胺能神经元变性中的作用研究

目的:研究p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)在脂多糖(LPS)诱导小胶质细胞激活介导多巴胺(DA)能神经元变性中的作用。方法:脑立体定位注射LPS于大鼠脑黑质,Western blot印记法检测不同时间点(0、0.5h、1h、6h、12h)黑质p38磷酸化水平。酪氨酸羟化酶(Tyrosine hydroxylase,TH)免疫组织化学染色观察蛋白激酶(MAPK)特异性抑制剂SB203580预处理后LPS对DA能神经元变性的影响。结果:黑质注射LPS后,Western blot结果显示p38MAPK总体蛋白水平在各组均存在表达,无显著性差异(P>0.05),而其磷酸化p-p38MAPK却发生了明显变化。正常对照组和PBS注射侧几乎无p-p38的表达,LPS注射后30min,p-p38即有少量的表达;1h表达量增加;6h表达量达高峰;12h后表达量逐渐下降。与PBS对照侧相比,LPS注入黑质导致TH阳性细胞数下降至38%;SB203580预处理可以显著增加TH+细胞数达63%(P<0.05)。结论:p38MAPK信号通路参与了LPS诱导小胶质细胞激活介导DA能神经元变性,可通过阻断信号通路来减轻LPS诱导DA能神经元变性,为PD治疗提供新的思路。     

p38MAPK信号通路与应力介导成肌细胞的凋亡*

背景：在体内条件下,细胞力学的功能研究因其所处生理环境的复杂性、实验条件的不易控制而很难得到满意结果。 目的：在成功构建成肌细胞体外培养-力学刺激模型的基础上,研究p38MAPK信号通路在成肌细胞凋亡中的作用及其机制。 方法：将体外培养的C2C12细胞分为对照组和SB203580组,SB203580组中加入 20 mmol/L的p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580。应用细胞应力加载装置Flecell Strain Unit-5000T给细胞提供15%的力值,分别施加0,6,12,24 h的周期性张应力。每分钟10个循环,每循环包括3 s牵张,3 s松弛。Hoechst 33258染色观察细胞的形态学变化;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况;RT-PCR法检测促凋亡基因bax mRNA的表达;Western blot检测信号通路中p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：随着加力时间的延长,细胞逐渐出现核固缩及凋亡小体,凋亡率增加(P < 0.05),bax mRNA表达增多(P < 0.05);细胞p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白均在加力6 h达到最低,此后逐渐升高。p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580可抑制加力引起的细胞凋亡,减少bax mRNA及p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达(P < 0.05)。说明p38MAPK信号通路在应力介导的成肌细胞凋亡中起到重要的作用。     

周期性张应力诱导成纤维细胞凋亡中p38MAPK信号通路的作用*

背景：当牙齿受异常咬合力时会导致牙体吸收、牙周组织的大量破坏。 目的：研究牙周膜成纤维细胞在受到周期性张应力刺激后是否发生凋亡及p38MAPK信号通路是否参与该凋亡过程。 方法：取4~7代成纤维细胞,同步化后随机分为对照组、加力组和SB203580组。加力组和SB203580组细胞加载力值为12%表面应变率,加力频率为6个循环/min,即5 s拉伸,5 s松弛。SB203580组细胞在加力前1 h加入终浓度为20 mmol/L的p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580。分别在加力6,12,24 h,取各组细胞,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,RT-PCR检测细胞凋亡基因bax mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：与对照组比较,加力后成纤维细胞凋亡率及bax mRNA表达增加 (P < 0.05),且随着加力时间的延长而增强,12 h达高峰,之后逐渐下降。与加力组比较,SB203580组对应时间点细胞凋亡减少 (P < 0.05),bax mRNA表达降低。说明细胞受到力学刺激会发生凋亡,而丝裂原活化蛋白激酶p38MAPK信号通路参与了该凋亡过程。     

脑缺血预处理对沙鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤 p38MAPK活化的作用

目的 探讨脑缺血预处理对脑缺血后p38MAPK信号的影响.方法 蒙古沙鼠分成对照组、脑缺血再灌注组、脑缺血预处理组和抑制剂SB203580组.制备脑缺血及脑缺血预处理动物模型.免疫组织化学法和蛋白质印迹法检测海马区磷酸化p38MAPK的表达,TUNEL 法检测神经细胞凋亡,TTC染色测定脑梗死体积.结果 与对照组比较,脑缺血再灌注组磷酸化p38MAPK表达增高,凋亡神经细胞数量增加(P<0.05),磷酸化p38MAPK阳性细胞与TUNEL阳性细胞为同一神经元.与脑缺血再灌注组比较,脑缺血预处理组凋亡神经细胞下降、磷酸化p38MAPK表达较少、梗死面积缩小(P<0.05);抑制剂SB203580组磷酸化p38MAPK表达水平与脑缺血预处理组相似,但两组神经细胞凋亡数量及脑梗死体积比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 缺血预处理对脑缺血性损伤具有保护作用,其机制并非完全依赖p38MAPK信号活化.

Abstract：

Objective To study the effect of ischemic preconditioning on p38MAPK pathway after ischemia - reperfusion injury in gerbils. Method Gerbils were divided randomly into control group, ischemia - reperfusion group ( I/R ) , ischemia preconditioning group ( IP ) and inhibitor SB203580 group. Transient ischemia - reperfusion model and ischemia preconditioning model were performed. The expression levels of p38MAPK phosphorylation were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, the neurons apoptosis were detected by TUNEL method and the infarction volume assessments were performed by TTC staining. Results Compared with control group, there were higher expression levels of p38MAPK phosphorylation,more apoptotic neurons in I/R group. The p38MAPK phosphorylation \positive cells and TUNEL positive cells were located in the same neurons. Compared with I/R group, there were lower expression levels of p38MAPK phosphorylation,fewer apoptotic neurons and smaller infarction volumes in IP group( P <0.05). The levels of p38MAPK phosphorylation in SB203580 group were similar as those in IP group( P > 0. 05 ) . However, the number of apoptotic neurons and infarction volumes were obviously changed ( P <0.05). Conclusions IP has protective effect from I/R damage in gerbils, which might be not only involved p38MAPK pathway.     

低渗状态下星形胶质细胞AQP4mRNA的表达和Ca2+浓度的关系

目的探讨低渗培养液对星形胶质细胞AQP4mRNA的表达变化和Ca2 浓度的影响及其之间的关系。方法取生后2d的Wistar大鼠大脑皮层进行星形胶质细胞纯培养,分别予不同程度的低渗培养液作用于细胞,建立细胞对低渗液反应的实验模型。应用台盼蓝测定细胞存活率,采用原位杂交检测AQP4mRNA的表达,Fura-2/AM荧光法测定细胞内Ca2 浓度。结果体外培养的星形胶质细胞在低渗培养液分别作用3h、6h、12h、24h后,低渗组的细胞存活率较对照组明显减少,各时间点AQP4mRNA表达水平与细胞内Ca2 含量均明显高于对照组,与对照组相比差异有显著意义(P<0.05),而且与作用时间以及低渗液的严重程度密切相关;AQP4mRNA的表达强度与Ca2 浓度的变化呈明显正相关。结论低渗液可引起星形胶质细胞AQP4mRNA的表达上调,导致细胞内Ca2 超载,AQP4和Ca2 可能共同参与脑水肿的形成,提示AQP4可能是脑水肿的重要致病因素之一。     

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase modulates expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand induced by interferon-gamma in fetal brain astrocytes

This study describes the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) during interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) signaling in fetal brain astrocytes. In some pathological conditions of brain, p38 MAPK transduces stress-related signals, increases expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and induces cellular damage or apoptosis. In astrocytes, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) expression level was increased by IFN-gamma. AG490, a JAK inhibitor, blocked TRAIL expression induced by IFN-gamma. SB203580, a specific p38alpha and p38beta2 MAPK inhibitor, decreased the TRAIL expression induced by IFN-gamma. The phosphorylation of the Ser727 site of STAT1, but not the Tyr701 site, was inhibited by SB203580. These results suggest that p38 MAPK modulates STAT1 phosphorylation in IFN-gamma signaling in fetal brain astrocytes.     

实验性脑出血后水通道蛋白-4的表达变化

目的　研究出血性脑水肿病理过程中水通道蛋白 4 (aquaporin 4 ,AQP4 )的表达与脑水肿形成之间的关系。方法　采用胶原酶制作大鼠脑出血模型 ,原位杂交和免疫组化法检测AQP4mRNA和蛋白质的表达变化 ,并用电镜技术和微血管灌注法观察脑水肿区的超微结构和微血管的变化。结果　与对照组相比 ,脑出血后 6h ,AQP4mRNA和蛋白质在脑水肿区表达增强 ,AQP4mRNA(吸光度值 ,A)由 0 2 9上升到 0 5 7(P <0 0 1) ,AQP4蛋白A值由 0 0 6上升到 0 15 (P <0 0 1) ,电镜下可见脑组织轻度水肿 ;至 72h ,AQP4mRNA和蛋白质的表达达到高峰 ,AQP4mRNA的A值为 0 88,AQP4蛋白A值为 0 2 5 ,此时脑组织严重水肿 ,神经元、胶质细胞和内皮细胞明显肿胀 ,毛细血管造影可见毛细血管开始增生 ;第 7天 ,AQP4的表达已减少 (尤以mRNA明显 ) ,但仍显著高于对照组 ,此时脑水肿已减轻。在整个脑水肿的形成过程中 ,AQP4mRNA和蛋白的表达呈高度正相关 (rs>0 82 ,Ps<0 0 1)。结论　脑出血后AQP4表达明显增强 ,提示AQP4参与了出血性脑水肿的发生发展过程 ,在出血性脑水肿的形成过程中起重要作用。     

Aquaporin‐4 in manganese‐treated cultured astrocytes

Manganese in excess is neurotoxic and causes CNS injury resembling that of Parkinson's disease. In brain, astrocytes predominantly take up and accumulate manganese and are thus vulnerable to its toxicity. Manganese was shown to induce cell swelling in cultured astrocytes, and oxidative/nitrosative stress (ONS) mediates such swelling. As aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) is important in the mechanism of astrocyte swelling, we examined the effect of manganese on AQP4 protein levels in cultured astrocytes. Treatment of cultures with manganese increased AQP4 protein in the plasma membrane (PM), whereas total cellular AQP4 protein and mRNA levels were unchanged, suggesting that increased AQP4 levels is due to its increased stability and/or increased trafficking to the PM and not to its neosynthesis. AQP4 gene silencing by small interfering ribonucleic acid resulted in a marked reduction in astrocyte swelling by manganese. Antioxidants, as well as an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, diminished the increase in AQP4 protein expression, suggesting a role of ONS in the mechanism of AQP4 increase. As ONS is known to activate mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and MAPK activation has been implicated in astrocyte swelling, we examined the effect of manganese on the activation of MAPKs and found an increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, C‐Jun amino‐terminal kinase (JNK)1/2/3, and p38‐MAPK. Inhibitors of ERK1/2 and p38‐MAPK (but not of JNK) blocked (40–60%) the manganese‐induced increase in AQP4 protein content and astrocyte swelling, suggesting the involvement of these kinases in the increased AQP4 content. Inhibition of oxidative stress or MAPKs may represent potential strategies for counteracting AQP4‐related neurological complications associated with manganese toxicity. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Minocycline and fluorocitrate suppress spinal nociceptive signaling in intrathecal IL‐1β–induced thermal hyperalgesic rats

We previously demonstrated that intrathecal IL‐1β caused thermal hyperalgesia in rats. This study was conducted to examine the effects and cellular mechanisms of glial inhibitors on IL‐1β–induced nociception in rats. The effects of minocycline (20 μg), fluorocitrate (1 nmol), and SB203580 (5 μg) on IL‐1β (100 ng) treatment in rats were measured by nociceptive behaviors, western blotting of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide (NO) levels, and immunohistochemical analyses. The results demonstrated that intrathecal IL‐1β activated microglia and astrocytes, but not neurons, in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord, as evidenced by morphological changes and increased immunoreactivity, phosphorylated p38 (P‐p38) MAPK, and iNOS expression; the activation of microglia and astrocytes peaked at 30 min and lasted for 6 h. The immunoreactivities of microglia and astrocytes were significantly increased at 30 min (6.6‐ and 2.7‐fold, respectively) and 6 h (3.3‐ and 4.0‐fold, respectively) following IL‐1β injection, as compared with saline controls at 30 min (all P < 0.01). IL‐1β induced P‐p38 MAPK and iNOS expression predominantly in microglia and less in astrocytes. Minocycline, fluorocitrate, or SB203580 pretreatment suppressed this IL‐1β–upregulated P‐p38 MAPK mainly in microglia and iNOS mainly in astrocytes; minocycline exhibited the most potent effect. Minocycline and fluorocitrate pretreatment abrogated IL‐1β–induced NO release and thermal hyperalgesia in rats. In conclusion, minocycline, fluorocitrate, and SB203580 effectively suppressed the IL‐1β–induced central sensitization and hyperalgesia in rats. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Possible involvement of p38 MAP kinase in HSP70 expression induced by hypoxia in rat primary astrocytes

The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible mechanism of HSP induction in response to hypoxia in rat primary astrocytes. Treatment with SB203580, a selective p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor, attenuated the increase in HSP70 in a concentration-dependent manner. p38 MAPK was activated in response to hypoxic treatment. These results suggest that p38 MAPK positively regulates hypoxia-induced HSP70 expression in astrocytes.     

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶在实验性蛛网膜下腔出血后早期脑损伤中的作用

目的探讨p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)在蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)后早期脑损伤(EBI)中的作用。方法成年雄性SD大鼠随机分配至对照组、SAH组及p38MAPK干预组,每组18只。采用血管内穿刺法制作SAH模型,干预组于术前30 min经侧脑室注射p38MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580,造模后24 h处死。观察各组大鼠脑含水量和神经功能评分,RT-PCR及免疫组化检测脑组织p38MAPK表达。结果与对照组相比,SAH组大鼠脑含水量(t=-196.35,P0.01)及p38 MAPK的mRNA水平(t=-24.75,P0.01)均明显升高,神经功能评分明显减低(t=201.08,P0.01)。与SAH组相比,干预组脑含水量(t=75.67,P0.01)及p38 MAPK的mRNA水平(t=9.43,P0.01)均明显下降,神经功能评分明显升高(t=-81.68,P0.01)。免疫组化示SAH组及干预组均有p38MAPK表达,但干预组较SAH组表达水平明显下降(t=-3.37,P0.01)。结论 p38 MAPK在EBI形成机制中起重要作用,有望成为防治EBI的药物作用新靶点。     

Administration of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 affords brain protection with a wide therapeutic window against focal ischemic insult

We have reported previously the delayed and differential induction of p38alpha and p38beta mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in microglia and astrocytes, respectively, in brain after transient global ischemia. We report here the sustained induction and activation of p38alpha MAPK in activating microglia in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The intraventricular administration of SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, 30 min before MCAO reduced the infarct volume to 50% of the control, which was accompanied by the significant improvement of neurological deficits. More interestingly, the infarct volume was reduced to 72% and 77% when SB203580 was administered 6 hr and 12 hr after MCAO, respectively. The induction of various factors involved in inflammatory processes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was suppressed by the administration of SB203580 at 6 hr after MCAO. These results suggest that sustained activation of p38 MAPK pathway and p38 MAPK-associated inflammatory processes play a crucial role in postischemic brain.     

Correlation between aquaporin-4 and brain edema in an animal model of astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays a key role in the formation and resolution of brain edema.However,the molecular mechanisms and role of AQP4 in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain edema remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE:To establish a newborn animal model of astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction,to observe the correlation between AQP4 and cellular volume,and to investigate the role of AQP4 in the development of brain edema following oxygen deprivation and reintroduction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A comparative experiment was performed at the Experimental Center of West China Second University Hospital between October 2007 and April 2009.MATERIALS:Astrocytes were derived from the neocortex of Sprague Dawley rats aged 3 days.METHODS:Astrocytes were incubated in glucose/serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium,followed by 1% oxygen for 6 hours.Finally,oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction models were successfully established.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to measure expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein in cultured rat astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction.Astrocytic cellular volume,as determined by [3H]-3-O-methyl-D-glucose,was used to represent the extent of astrocytic swelling.RESULTS:During oxygen-glucose deprivation,AQP4 mRNA and protein expression gradually decreased in astrocytes,whereas cellular volume increased in a time-dependent manner (P< 0.01).Following oxygen-glucose reintroduction,AQP4 mRNAand protein expression was upregulated,peaked at day 7,and then gradually decreased,but still higher than normal levels (P < 0.05).However,cellular volume gradually decreased (P < 0.01),and then reached normal levels at day 7.CONCLUSION:AQP4 expression highly correlated with cellular volume changes,suggesting that AQP4 played an important role in modulating brain water transport in an astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction model.