Fluoro jade-C staining in the assessment of brain injury after deep hypothermia circulatory arrest

Saffron essential oil ameliorates CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in mice via the MAPK-CREB1-BDNF signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Saffron, the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., has a long history of use in the treatment of depression in traditional Chinese medicine and Islamic medicine. The unique aroma of saffron, primarily derived from its volatile oil, has been widely used by folk to mitigate anxiety and depression via sniffing because the aroma of saffron has a pleasant and invigorating effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect and the underlying mechanism of saffron essential oil (SEO) in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, compounds of SEO were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, while network pharmacology was used to predict potential active compounds, antidepressant targets, and related signaling pathways of SEO. The CUMS depression model was further used to explore the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of SEO. During the modeling period, mice were regularly administered fluoxetine (3.6 mg/kg, i.g.) or diluted SEO (2%, 4%, and 6% SEO, inhalation). The antidepressant and neuroprotective effects of SEO were evaluated by behavior tests (the open field test, the sucrose preference test, the tail suspension test, and the forced swimming test), hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Nissl staining. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure dopamine (DA), 5-serotonin (5-HT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in serum. The relative abundance of Raf1, MEK1, P-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, P-CREB1/CREB1, BDNF, and P-Trk B/Trk B in the hippocampus was determined using western blot (WB).

RESULTS

According to the network pharmacology analysis, seven active SEO compounds mediated 113 targets related to depression treatment, most of which were enriched in the 5-HT synapse, calcium signaling pathway, and cAMP signaling pathway. In vivo experiments indicated that fluoxetine and SEO improved depression-like behaviors in depressed mice. The levels of 5-HT, DA, BDNF, and GABA in serum increased significantly. Histopathological examinations revealed that fluoxetine and SEO ameliorated neuronal damage in the hippocampus. WB analysis showed that the relative expressions of Raf1, MEK1, P-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, P-CREB1/CREB1, BDNF, and P-Trk B/Trk B were significantly higher in the fluoxetine and SEO groups than in the CUMS group.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these findings suggest that SEO significantly alleviates the depressive symptoms in CUMS exposed mice and partially restores hippocampal neuronal damage. Meanwhile, the best efficacy was observed in 4% SEO. Furthermore, the antidepressant mechanism of SEO is primarily dependent on the regulation of the MAPK-CREB1-BDNF signaling pathway.

Learning and memory impairment and transcriptomic profile in hippocampus of offspring after maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation

Increased fructose intake is a global issue, especially in mothers. Maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation can affect learning and memory in offspring; however, the detailed mechanism is still unknown. The hippocampus is a mind locale liable for learning and memory. Here, we established a maternal high-fructose diet model by administering 13% and 40% fructose water, applied the Morris Water Maze test on postnatal day 60 offspring, and performed full-length RNA sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform to explore the changes in gene expression in the hippocampus. The results showed that learning and memory in offspring were negatively affected. Compared with the control group, 369 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were identified in the 13% fructose group, and 501 DETs were identified in the 40% fructose group. Gene Ontology enriched term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enriched pathway analyses identified several terms and pathways related to brain development and cognitive function. Furthermore, we confirmed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was down-regulated and neuron degeneration was enhanced. In summary, our results indicate that maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation can impair learning and memory in offspring and affect brain function at the transcriptome level.

Grape seed proanthocyanidins improves depression-like behavior by alleviating oxidative stress and NLRP3 activation in the hippocampus of prenatally-stressed female offspring rats

Over several decades, there is a growing evidence, which has shown that prenatal stress (PS) contributes to depression in offspring. Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs), which contain dimers, trimers, oligomers of catechin and epicatechin, are known to possess antidepressant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of antidepressant effects of GSPs on female juvenile prenatally stressed offspring rats. The results showed that the female juvenile offspring rats exposed to PS exhibited depression-like behavior manifested as longer immobility time and lesser consumption of sucrose solution. Prenatal stress reduced the number of hippocampal neurons and increased the level of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hippocampus of the female juvenile offspring rats. Furthermore, the expression of PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and its downstream cytokines, Caspase-1, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), were increased in the hippocampus of the female juvenile offspring rats exposed to PS. Administration of GSPs not only improved depression-like behavior and enhanced the number of hippocampal neurons, but also abated excessive ROS generation and inhibited the activation of the NLRP3-Caspase-1 signaling pathway. Taken together, GSPs counteract PS-induced hippocampal neuron loss and depression-like behavior by alleviating oxidative stress and NLRP3 activation. The present study provides a new insight for GSPs as an effective therapeutic agent for adolescent depression.

Down-regulating microRNA-20a regulates CDH1 to protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Studies have extensively focused on the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury but not much on the specific role of miR-20a. Hence, this study is purposed to decipher whether miR-20a could regulate cadherin 1 (CDH1) to affect cerebral I/R injury in rats. Rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model (MCAO) was established. Rats were injected with lentiviral solution containing miR-20a inhibitor, or overexpressed CDH1 or combined depleted miR-20a and CDH1 to explore their roles in cerebral I/R injury. Oxidative stress-related factors, miR-20a, CDH1, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and Nestin expression in brain tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot assay. The target relation between miR-20a and CDH1 was predicted by online website and further confirmed by luciferase activity assay. In rats with cerebral I/R injury, increased miR-20a and decreased CDH1 were found in brain tissues. Reduction of miR-20a or elevation of CDH1 attenuated behavior function in MCAO rats. Inhibiting miR-20a or restoring CDH1 restrained oxidative stress, attenuated pathological damage of neurons, promoted neuron survival, and down-regulated NF-κB and Nestin expression in brain tissues of MCAO rats. CDH1 was determined to a target gene of miR-20a. This study elucidates that down-regulating miR-20a elevates CDH1 to protect neurons from cerebral I/R injury, which paves a new way for treatment of cerebral I/R injury.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates NLRP3-mediated neuronal pyroptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory response has been recognized as a pivotal pathophysiological process during cerebral ischemic stroke. NLRP3 inflammasome, involved in the regulation of inflammatory cascade, can simultaneously lead to GSDMD-executed pyroptosis in cerebral ischemia. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), responsible for cholesterol uptake, was noted to exert potential anti-inflammatory bioactivities. Nevertheless, the role of LDLR in neuroinflammation mobilized by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has not been investigated.

METHODS

Ischemic stroke mice model was accomplished by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Oxygen-glucose deprivation was employed after primary cortical neuron was extracted and cultured. A pharmacological inhibitor of NLRP3 (CY-09) was administered to suppress NLPR3 activation. Histological and biochemical analysis were performed to assess the neuronal death both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, neurological deficits and behavioral deterioration were evaluated in mice.

RESULTS

The expression of LDLR was downregulated following cerebral I/R injury. Genetic knockout of Ldlr enhanced caspase-1-dependent cleavage of GSDMD and resulted in severe neuronal pyroptosis. LDLR deficiency contributed to excessive NLRP3-mediated maturation and release of IL-1β and IL-18 under in vitro and in vivo ischemic conditions. These influences ultimately led to aggravated neurological deficits and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Blockade of NLRP3 substantially retarded neuronal pyroptosis in Ldlr^-/- mice and cultured Ldlr^-/- neuron after experimental stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that LDLR modulates NLRP3-mediated neuronal pyroptosis and neuroinflammation following ischemic stroke. Our findings characterize a novel role for LDLR as a potential therapeutic target in neuroinflammatory responses to acute cerebral ischemic injury.

Microglia depletion exacerbates acute seizures and hippocampal neuronal degeneration in mouse models of epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are the manifestation of hypersynchronous and excessive neuronal excitation. While the glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons play major roles in shaping fast neuronal excitation/inhibition homeostasis, it is well illustrated that astrocytes profoundly regulate neuronal excitation by controlling glutamate, GABA, cannabinoids, adenosine, and concentration of K⁺ around neurons. However, little is known about whether microglia take part in the regulation of acute neuronal excitation and ongoing epileptic behaviors. We proposed that if microglia are innately ready to respond to epileptic overexcitation, depletion of microglia might alter neuronal excitability and severity of acute epileptic seizures. We found that microglia depletion by plx3397, an inhibitor of CSF1R, exacerbates seizure severity and excitotoxicity-induced neuronal degeneration, indicating that microglia are rapidly responsive to the change of excitation/inhibition homeostasis and participate in the protection of neurons from overexcitation.

Brainstem iron overload and injury in a rat model of brainstem hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Brainstem hemorrhage (BSH) is the most devastating subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with the highest mortality ranging from 56 % to 61.2 %. However, there is no effective medical or surgical therapy to improve its outcomes in clinic to date due to lack of understanding of its injury mechanisms. Herein, we explored the brainstem iron overload and injury in a rat model of BSH.

METHODS

Neurological scores were examined on day 1, 3, and 7 after modeling, and mortality of the rats was recorded to draft a survival curve. Rats were monitored by MRI using T2 and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) before sacrifice for examination of histology and immunofluorescence on day 1, 3, and 7.

RESULTS

BSH rats had a high mortality of 56 % and demonstrated the severe neurological deficits mimicking the clinical conditions. SWI showed that the same increasing tendency in change of hypointense area with that in iron deposition by Perls staining from day 1 to 7. Expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) had similar tendency and both peaked on day 3. Neuronal degeneration occurred and stayed elevated from day 1 to 7, while myelin sheath injury was initially observed on day 1 but without significant difference within 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The time courses of erythrocyte lysis, HO-1 expression, iron deposition and ROS generation are related to each other after BSH. Besides, brainstem injury including neuronal degeneration and myelin damage were observed and discussed.

Inhaled nitric oxide reduces injury and microglia activation in porcine hippocampus after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

OBJECTIVE

Dysregulation of local nitric oxide (NO) synthetases occurs during ischemia and reperfusion associated with cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), and reperfusion. Rapid fluctuations in local NO occurring in neonates and infants probably contribute to inflammation-induced microglial activation and neuronal degeneration after these procedures, eventually impairing neurodevelopment. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of inhaled NO (iNO) in a piglet model emulating conditions during pediatric open-heart surgery with DHCA.

METHODS

Infant Yorkshire piglets underwent DHCA (18°C) for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion and rewarming either with or without iNO (20 ppm) in the ventilator at the onset of reperfusion for 3 hours (n = 5 per group, DHCA-iNO and DHCA). Through craniotomy, brains were extracted after perfusion fixation for histology.

RESULTS

Plasma NO metabolites were elevated 2.5 times baseline data before DHCA by iNO. Fluoro-Jade C staining identified significantly lower number of degenerating neurons in the hippocampus of the DHCA-iNO group (P = .02) compared with the DHCA group. Morphologic analyses of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 stained microglia, evaluating cell body and dendritic process geometry with Imaris imaging software, revealed subjectively less microglial activation in the hippocampus of pigs receiving iNO.

CONCLUSIONS

Using DHCA for 30 minutes, consistent with clinical exposure, we noted that iNO reduces neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus. In addition, iNO reduces microglial activation in the hippocampus after DHCA. The data suggest that iNO reduces neuronal degeneration by ameliorating inflammation and may be a practical mode of neuroprotection for infants undergoing DHCA.

Screening candidate microR-15a- IRAK2 regulatory pairs for predicting the response to Staphylococcus aureus-induced mastitis in dairy cows

We established a mastitis model using exogenous infection of the mammary gland of Chinese Holstein cows with Staphylococcus aureus and extracted total RNA from S. aureus-infected and healthy mammary quarters. Differential expression of genes due to mastitis was evaluated using Affymetrix technology and results revealed a total of 1230 differentially expressed mRNAs. A subset of affected genes was verified via Q-PCR and pathway analysis. In addition, Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze profiles of miRNA in infected and healthy quarters. These analyses revealed a total of 52 differentially expressed miRNAs. A subset of those results was verified via Q-PCR. Bioinformatics techniques were used to predict and analyze the correlations among differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA. Results revealed a total of 329 pairs of negatively associated miRNA/mRNA, with 31 upregulated pairs of mRNA and 298 downregulated pairs of mRNA. Differential expression of miR-15a and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-like 2 (IRAK2), were evaluated by western blot and luciferase reporter assays. We conclude that miR-15a and miR-15a target genes (IRAK2) constitute potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs for use as biomarkers to predict a mastitis response.

AVE 0991 attenuates oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis via Mas/PKA/CREB/UCP-2 pathway after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis have been demonstrated to be key features in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Previous studies have indicated that Mas receptor activation initiates an anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic role in the brain. However, whether Mas activation can attenuate oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis after SAH remains unknown. To investigate the beneficial effect of Mas on oxidative stress injury and neuronal apoptosis induced by SAH, a total of 196 rats were subjected to an endovascular perforation model of SAH. AVE 0991 (AVE), a selective agonist of Mas, was administered intranasally 1 h after SAH induction. A779, a selective inhibitor of Mas, and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for UCP-2 were administered by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection at 1 h and 48 h before SAH induction respectively. Neurological tests, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, Fluoro-Jade C, DHE staining, and Western blot experiments were performed. We found that Mas activation with AVE significantly improved neurobehavioral scores and reduced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in SAH+AVE group compared with SAH+vehicle group. Moreover, AVE treatment significantly promoted phosphorylation of CREB and the expression UCP-2, as well as upregulated expression of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Romo-1 and Bax. The protective effects of AVE were reversed by i.c.v injection of A779 and UCP-2 siRNA in SAH+AVE+A779 and SAH+AVE+UCP-2 siRNA groups, respectively. In conclusion, our data provides evidence that Mas activation with AVE reduces oxidative stress injury and neuronal apoptosis through Mas/PKA/p-CREB/UCP-2 pathway after SAH. Furthermore, our study indicates that Mas may be a novel therapeutic treatment target in early brain injury of SAH.

TAT-Ngn2 Enhances Cognitive Function Recovery and Regulates Caspase-Dependent and Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathways After Experimental Stroke

Neurogenin-2 (Ngn2) is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that contributes to the identification and specification of neuronal fate during neurogenesis. In our previous study, we found that Ngn2 plays an important role in alleviating neuronal apoptosis, which may be viewed as an attractive candidate target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. However, novel strategies require an understanding of the function and mechanism of Ngn2 in mature hippocampal neurons after global cerebral ischemic injury. Here, we found that the expression of Ngn2 decreased in the hippocampus after global cerebral ischemic injury in mice and in primary hippocampal neurons after oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) injury. Then, transactivator of transcription (TAT)-Ngn2, which was constructed by fusing a TAT domain to Ngn2, was effectively transported and incorporated into hippocampal neurons after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and enhanced cognitive functional recovery in the acute stage after reperfusion. Furthermore, TAT-Ngn2 alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage and apoptosis, and inhibited the cytochrome C (CytC) leak from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm through regulating the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylation tropomyosin-related kinase B (pTrkB), Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 after reperfusion injury in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that the downregulation of Ngn2 expression may have an important role in triggering brain injury after ischemic stroke and that the neuroprotection of TAT-Ngn2 against stroke might involve the modulation of BDNF-TrkB signaling that regulates caspase-dependent and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, which may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemic injury.

Tetramethylpyrazine Protects Against Early Brain Injury and Inhibits the PERK/Akt Pathway in a Rat Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Neuronal apoptosis is a potentially fatal pathological process that occurs in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There is an urgent need to identify effective therapeutics to alleviate neuronal apoptosis. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), as an important component of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum wallichii, has been widely used in China to treat cerebral ischemic injury and confer neuroprotection. In the present work, we investigate whether TMP can reduce EBI following SAH in rats, specifically via inactivating the PERK/Akt signaling cascade. One hundred twenty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the present study. TMP was administered by intravenous (i.v.) injection, and the Akt inhibitor MK2206 was injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). SAH grade, neurological scores, and brain water content were measured 24 h after SAH. Neuronal apoptosis was visualized by Fluoro-Jade C (FJC) staining. Western blotting was used to measure the levels of PERK, p-PERK, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, Akt, p-Akt, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. Our results showed that TMP effectively reduced neuronal apoptosis and improved neurobehavioral deficits 24 h after SAH. Administration of TMP reduced the abundance of p-PERK and p-eIF2α. In addition, TMP increased the p-Akt level and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased the level of cleaved caspase-3. The selective Akt inhibitor MK2206 abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of TMP at 24 h after SAH. Collectively, these results indicate that Akt-related anti-apoptosis through the PERK pathway is a major, potent mechanism of EBI. Further investigation of this pathway may provide a basis for the development of TMP as a clinical treatment.

Pathological Features of Staphylococcus aureus Induced Mastitis in Dairy Cows and Isobaric-Tags-for-Relative-and-Absolute-Quantitation Proteomic Analyses

In part as a result of the production of an enterotoxin, Staphylococcus aureus is a highly infectious pathogen and is a considerable threat to food hygiene and safety. Clinical mastitis models were established by S. aureus nipple-tube perfusion. The influence of mastitis on the mammary-gland-tissue proteomic profile was investigated using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation. In this study, healthy and mastitic tissues from different mammary-gland areas of the same dairy cows were screened, and differentially expressed proteins were identified. Bioinformatic analysis identified proteins related to the inflammation and immunization of dairy cows. Histology, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical-staining analyses were used to determine the expression of PGLYRP1 and PTX3 proteins in the acquired mammary-gland-tissue samples. PGLYRP1 and PTX3 in mastitic mammary glands may be associated with tissue damage and immune responses to late stages of infection. This further contributes to the understanding of the molecular theory of the treatment of mastitis caused by S. aureus.

Abnormal behaviors and developmental disorder of hippocampus in zinc finger protein 521 (ZFP521) mutant mice

Zinc finger protein 521 (ZFP521) regulates a number of cellular processes in a wide range of tissues, such as osteoblast formation and adipose commitment and differentiation. In the field of neurobiology, it is reported to be an essential factor for transition of epiblast stem cells into neural progenitors in vitro. However, the role of ZFP521 in the brain in vivo still remains elusive. To elucidate the role of ZFP521 in the mouse brain, we generated mice lacking exon 4 of the ZFP521 gene. The birth ratio of our ZFP521Δ/Δ mice was consistent with Mendel's laws. Although ZFP521Δ/Δ pups had no apparent defect in the body and were indistinguishable from ZFP521+/+ and ZFP521+/Δ littermates at the time of birth, ZFP521Δ/Δ mice displayed significant weight reduction as they grew, and most of them died before 10 weeks of age. They displayed abnormal behavior, such as hyper-locomotion, lower anxiety and impaired learning, which correspond to the symptoms of schizophrenia. The border of the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus of the mice was indistinct and granular neurons were reduced in number. Furthermore, Sox1-positive neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus and cerebellum were significantly reduced in number. Taken together, these findings indicate that ZFP521 directly or indirectly affects the formation of the neuronal cell layers of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus, and thus ZFP521Δ/Δ mice displayed schizophrenia-relevant symptoms. ZFP521Δ/Δ mice may be a useful research tool as an animal model of schizophrenia.

Neuroprotective effects of sevoflurane against electromagnetic pulse-induced brain injury through inhibition of neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) causes central nervous system damage and neurobehavioral disorders, and sevoflurane protects the brain from ischemic injury. We investigated the effects of sevoflurane on EMP-induced brain injury. Rats were exposed to EMP and immediately treated with sevoflurane. The protective effects of sevoflurane were assessed by Nissl staining, Fluoro-Jade C staining and electron microscopy. The neurobehavioral effects were assessed using the open-field test and the Morris water maze. Finally, primary cerebral cortical neurons were exposed to EMP and incubated with different concentration of sevoflurane. The cellular viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were assayed. TUNEL staining was performed, and the expression of apoptotic markers was determined. The cerebral cortexes of EMP-exposed rats presented neuronal abnormalities. Sevoflurane alleviated these effects, as well as the learning and memory deficits caused by EMP exposure. In vitro, cell viability was reduced and LDH release was increased after EMP exposure; treatment with sevoflurane ameliorated these effects. Additionally, sevoflurane increased SOD activity, decreased MDA levels and alleviated neuronal apoptosis by regulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. These findings demonstrate that Sevoflurane conferred neuroprotective effects against EMP radiation-induced brain damage by inhibiting neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Targeted delivery of neurogenin-2 protein in the treatment for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Neurogenin-2 (Ngn2), as a proneural gene that promotes the survival and differentiation of neural precursor cells, is an attractive candidate for therapy against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the delivery approach limits its clinical application. To deliver Ngn2 protein into the cerebral ischemic region and exert a therapeutic effect on injured neurons after ischemia, we here reported that the fusion protein TAT-LBD-Ngn2 was constructed by fusing a transactivator of transcription (TAT) domain and a laminin-binding domain (LBD) to Ngn2. TAT-LBD-Ngn2 promoted the outgrowth of neuronal neurite, increased the survival rate and alleviated apoptosis of hippocampal neurons exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation in vitro. Furthermore, a focal cerebral ischemia model in C57BL/6 mice showed that TAT-LBD-Ngn2 efficiently crossed the blood brain barrier, aggregated in the ischemic zone and was consistently incorporated into neurons. Moreover, TAT-LBD-Ngn2 transduced into brains attenuated neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the ischemic zone. TAT-LBD-Ngn2 treatment resulted in a reduction of infarct volume that was associated with a parallel improvement in neurological functional outcomes after reperfusion. In conclusion, the targeted delivery of TAT-LBD-Ngn2 into the ischemic zone attenuated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through the inhibition of neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, suggesting that TAT-LBD-Ngn2 is a promising target candidate for the treatment of ischemic stroke.