1
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Mosberger AC, Sibener LJ, Chen TX, Rodrigues HFM, Hormigo R, Ingram JN, Athalye VR, Tabachnik T, Wolpert DM, Murray JM, Costa RM. Exploration biases forelimb reaching strategies. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113958. [PMID: 38520691 PMCID: PMC11097405 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain can generate actions, such as reaching to a target, using different movement strategies. We investigate how such strategies are learned in a task where perched head-fixed mice learn to reach to an invisible target area from a set start position using a joystick. This can be achieved by learning to move in a specific direction or to a specific endpoint location. As mice learn to reach the target, they refine their variable joystick trajectories into controlled reaches, which depend on the sensorimotor cortex. We show that individual mice learned strategies biased to either direction- or endpoint-based movements. This endpoint/direction bias correlates with spatial directional variability with which the workspace was explored during training. Model-free reinforcement learning agents can generate both strategies with similar correlation between variability during training and learning bias. These results provide evidence that reinforcement of individual exploratory behavior during training biases the reaching strategies that mice learn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C Mosberger
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Leslie J Sibener
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Tiffany X Chen
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Helio F M Rodrigues
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Allen Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Richard Hormigo
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - James N Ingram
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Vivek R Athalye
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Tanya Tabachnik
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Daniel M Wolpert
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - James M Murray
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Rui M Costa
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Allen Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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2
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Mosneag IE, Flaherty SM, Wykes RC, Allan SM. Stroke and Translational Research - Review of Experimental Models with a Focus on Awake Ischaemic Induction and Anaesthesia. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00535-3. [PMID: 38065289 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Animal models are an indispensable tool in the study of ischaemic stroke with hundreds of drugs emerging from the preclinical pipeline. However, all of these drugs have failed to translate into successful treatments in the clinic. This has brought into focus the need to enhance preclinical studies to improve translation. The confounding effects of anaesthesia on preclinical stroke modelling has been raised as an important consideration. Various volatile and injectable anaesthetics are used in preclinical models during stroke induction and for outcome measurements such as imaging or electrophysiology. However, anaesthetics modulate several pathways essential in the pathophysiology of stroke in a dose and drug dependent manner. Most notably, anaesthesia has significant modulatory effects on cerebral blood flow, metabolism, spreading depolarizations, and neurovascular coupling. To minimise anaesthetic complications and improve translational relevance, awake stroke induction has been attempted in limited models. This review outlines anaesthetic strategies employed in preclinical ischaemic rodent models and their reported cerebral effects. Stroke related complications are also addressed with a focus on infarct volume, neurological deficits, and thrombolysis efficacy. We also summarise routinely used focal ischaemic stroke rodent models and discuss the attempts to induce some of these models in awake rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana-Emilia Mosneag
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Samuel M Flaherty
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Robert C Wykes
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart M Allan
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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3
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Kitamura T, Terashima T, Katagi M, Ohashi N, Nozaki K, Tsuji A. Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells ameliorate neurological function in chronic cerebral infarction model mice via improvement of cerebral blood flow. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1186-1199. [PMID: 37552144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Stroke is a frequently observed neurological disorder that might lead to permanent and severe disability. Recently, various regenerative therapies have been developed, some of which have already been applied clinically. However, their outcomes have not been fully satisfactory. In particular, the development of regenerative therapies for chronic ischemic stroke is greatly needed. Herein intracerebral administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) was assessed as a potential treatment for chronic ischemic stroke using a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model characterized by minimal vascular variation unrelated to immunodeficiency. METHODS A reproducible model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was prepared, and intracerebral BM-MNC transplantation was performed 14 days after stroke induction in the infarcted brain. RESULTS Sensorimotor behavioral function and cerebral blood flow were significantly improved upon treatment with BM-MNCs compared to control medium injection. The transplanted cells exhibited characteristics of the vascular endothelium and microglia/macrophages. Significant angiogenesis and suppression of astrogliosis and microgliosis were observed in the affected brain. Messenger RNA expression analysis showed significant increases in anti-inflammatory cytokines, A2 astrocyte/anti-inflammatory microglia markers and vascular endothelial markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor and significant decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines and A1 astrocyte/pro-inflammatory microglia markers following BM-MNC transplantation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that intracerebral administration of BM-MNCs should be considered an effective cell therapy for chronic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoaki Kitamura
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Tomoya Terashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.
| | - Miwako Katagi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Natsuko Ohashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nozaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tsuji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
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4
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Dzirkale Z, Pilipenko V, Pijet B, Klimaviciusa L, Upite J, Protokowicz K, Kaczmarek L, Jansone B. Long-term behavioural alterations in mice following transient cerebral ischemia. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114589. [PMID: 37481076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Acute and chronic post-stroke changes have variable effects on the functional outcomes of the disease. Therefore, it is imperative to identify what daily activities are altered after stroke and to what extent, keeping in mind that ischemic stroke patients often have long-term post-stroke complications. Translational studies in stroke have also been challenging due to inconsistent study design of animal experiments. The objective of this study was to clarify whether and to what extent mouse behaviour was altered during a 6 months period after cerebral stroke. Experimental stroke was induced in mice by intraluminal filament insertion into the middle cerebral artery (fMCAo). Neurological deficits, recovery rate, motor performance, and circadian activity were evaluated following ischemia. We observed severe neurological deficits, motor impairments, and delay in the recovery rate of mice during the first 14 days after fMCAo. Aberrant circadian activity and distorted space map were seen in fMCAo mice starting one month after ischemia, similarly to altered new and familiar cage activity and sucrose preference using the IntelliCage, and was still evident 60- and 180- days following stroke in the voluntary running wheel using the PhenoMaster system. A preference towards ipsilateral side turns was observed in fMCAo mice both acutely and chronically after the stroke induction. Overall, our study shows the importance of determining time-dependent differences in the long-term post-stroke recovery (over 180 days after fMCAo) using multiple behavioural assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Dzirkale
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 3 Jelgavas Street, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Vladimirs Pilipenko
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 3 Jelgavas Street, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Barbara Pijet
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Linda Klimaviciusa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 3 Jelgavas Street, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jolanta Upite
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 3 Jelgavas Street, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Karolina Protokowicz
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leszek Kaczmarek
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Baiba Jansone
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 3 Jelgavas Street, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia.
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5
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Mosberger AC, Sibener LJ, Chen TX, Rodrigues H, Hormigo R, Ingram JN, Athalye VR, Tabachnik T, Wolpert DM, Murray JM, Costa RM. Exploration biases how forelimb reaches to a spatial target are learned. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539291. [PMID: 37214823 PMCID: PMC10197595 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The brain can learn to generate actions, such as reaching to a target, using different movement strategies. Understanding how different variables bias which strategies are learned to produce such a reach is important for our understanding of the neural bases of movement. Here we introduce a novel spatial forelimb target task in which perched head-fixed mice learn to reach to a circular target area from a set start position using a joystick. These reaches can be achieved by learning to move into a specific direction or to a specific endpoint location. We find that mice gradually learn to successfully reach the covert target. With time, they refine their initially exploratory complex joystick trajectories into controlled targeted reaches. The execution of these controlled reaches depends on the sensorimotor cortex. Using a probe test with shifting start positions, we show that individual mice learned to use strategies biased to either direction or endpoint-based movements. The degree of endpoint learning bias was correlated with the spatial directional variability with which the workspace was explored early in training. Furthermore, we demonstrate that reinforcement learning model agents exhibit a similar correlation between directional variability during training and learned strategy. These results provide evidence that individual exploratory behavior during training biases the control strategies that mice use to perform forelimb covert target reaches.
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6
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Britsch DRS, Syeara N, Stowe AM, Karamyan VT. Rodent Stroke Models to Study Functional Recovery and Neural Repair. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2616:3-12. [PMID: 36715922 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2926-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Rodent ischemic stroke models are essential research tools for studying this highly prevalent disease and represent a critical element in the translational pipeline for development of new therapies. The majority of ischemic stroke models have been developed to study the acute phase of the disease and neuroprotective strategies, but a subset of models is better suited for studying stroke recovery. Each model therefore has characteristics that lend itself to certain types of investigations and outcome measures, and it is important to consider both explicit and implicit details when designing experiments that utilize each model. The following chapter briefly summarizes the known aspects of the main rodent stroke models with emphasis on their clinical relevance and suitability for studying recovery and neural repair following stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daimen R S Britsch
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Nausheen Syeara
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Ann M Stowe
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA.
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA.
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7
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Milde S, Brown GC. Knockout of the P2Y 6 Receptor Prevents Peri-Infarct Neuronal Loss after Transient, Focal Ischemia in Mouse Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042304. [PMID: 35216419 PMCID: PMC8879728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
After stroke, there is a delayed neuronal loss in brain areas surrounding the infarct, which may in part be mediated by microglial phagocytosis of stressed neurons. Microglial phagocytosis of stressed or damaged neurons can be mediated by UDP released from stressed neurons activating the P2Y6 receptor on microglia, inducing microglial phagocytosis of such neurons. We show evidence here from a small trial that the knockout of the P2Y6 receptor, required for microglial phagocytosis of neurons, prevents the delayed neuronal loss after transient, focal brain ischemia induced by endothelin-1 injection in mice. Wild-type mice had neuronal loss and neuronal nuclear material within microglia in peri-infarct areas. P2Y6 receptor knockout mice had no significant neuronal loss in peri-infarct brain areas seven days after brain ischemia. Thus, delayed neuronal loss after stroke may in part be mediated by microglial phagocytosis of stressed neurons, and the P2Y6 receptor is a potential treatment target to prevent peri-infarct neuronal loss.
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8
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Torres Crigna A, Link B, Samec M, Giordano FA, Kubatka P, Golubnitschaja O. Endothelin-1 axes in the framework of predictive, preventive and personalised (3P) medicine. EPMA J 2021; 12:265-305. [PMID: 34367381 PMCID: PMC8334338 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-021-00248-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is involved in the regulation of a myriad of processes highly relevant for physical and mental well-being; female and male health; in the modulation of senses, pain, stress reactions and drug sensitivity as well as healing processes, amongst others. Shifted ET-1 homeostasis may influence and predict the development and progression of suboptimal health conditions, metabolic impairments with cascading complications, ageing and related pathologies, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative pathologies, aggressive malignancies, modulating, therefore, individual outcomes of both non-communicable and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the involvement of ET-1 and related regulatory pathways in physiological and pathophysiological processes and estimates its capacity as a predictor of ageing and related pathologies,a sensor of lifestyle quality and progression of suboptimal health conditions to diseases for their targeted preventionand as a potent target for cost-effective treatments tailored to the person.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Torres Crigna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Barbara Link
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marek Samec
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Frank A. Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive and Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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9
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Wang HK, Chen JS, Hsu CY, Su YT, Sung TC, Liang CL, Kwan AL, Wu CC. A Novel NGF Receptor Agonist B355252 Ameliorates Neuronal Loss and Inflammatory Responses in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:2363-2376. [PMID: 34103967 PMCID: PMC8179829 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s303833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. However, an effective therapeutic approach for the condition remains undiscovered. The previously proposed growth factor-based therapy has been inefficient due to its inability to pass through the blood–brain barrier. B355252, a newly developed small molecule, exhibited a potential neuroprotective effect in vivo. However, its exact efficacy in cerebral ischemia remains unclear. Methods We adopt an endothelin-1 stereotaxic intracranial injection to induced cerebral ischemia in rat. We further conducted 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, immunofluorescent staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and behavioral tests to evaluate the efficacy of B355252 in neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and behavioral outcome improvements. Results We identified that B355252 could protect ischemic neurons from neuronal loss by attenuating DNA damage, reducing ROS production and the LDH level, and preventing neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, inflammatory responses in astrocytic and microglial gliosis, as well as IL-1β and TNF-α levels, were ameliorated. Consequently, the behavioral outcomes of ischemic rats in neurologic responses and fore paw function recovery were improved. Discussion Overall, our study verified the in vivo therapeutic potential of B355252. The study findings further support its application in the development of a therapeutic approach for stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Kuang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-DA Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-DA Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Dachang Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Hsu
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-DA Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ching Sung
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Loong Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-DA Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Aij-Lie Kwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chun Wu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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10
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Endothelin-1 mediated vasoconstriction leads to memory impairment and synaptic dysfunction. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4868. [PMID: 33649479 PMCID: PMC7921549 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84258-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrovascular lesions seen as white matter hyperintensity in MRI of elderly population caused due to micro-infracts and micro-bleeds contributes to vascular dementia. Such vascular insult caused by impairment in blood flow to specific area in brain involving small vessels can gradually worsen the pathology leading to cognitive deficits. In the present study we developed a transient model of vaso-constriction to study the impact of such pathology by bilateral injection of ET-1 (Endothelin-1; a 21 amino acid vasoconstricting peptide) into lateral ventricles of C57 mice. The impediment in cerebral blood flow decreased CD31 expression in endothelial cells lining the blood vessels around the hippocampal region, leading to memory deficits after 7 days. Activity dependent protein translation, critical for synaptic plasticity was absent in synaptoneurosomes prepared from hippocampal tissue. Further, Akt1- mTOR signaling cascade was downregulated indicating the possible cause for loss of activity dependent protein translation. However, these effects were reversed after 30 days indicating the ephemeral nature of deficits following a single vascular insult. Present study demonstrates that vasoconstriction leading to memory deficit and decline in activity dependent protein translation in hippocampus as a potential molecular mechanism impacting synaptic plasticity.
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11
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Nemchek V, Haan EM, Mavros R, Macuiba A, Kerr AL. Voluntary exercise ameliorates the good limb training effect in a mouse model of stroke. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:687-697. [PMID: 33388904 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, making research on rehabilitation imperative. Stroke rehabilitation typically focuses on recovery of the impaired limb, although this process is tedious. Compensatory use of the intact limb after stroke is more efficient, but it is known to negatively impact the impaired limb. Exercise may help with this problem; research has shown that exercise promotes neuronal growth and prevents cell death. This study used a mouse model to investigate if post-stroke exercise could prevent deterioration of the function of the impaired limb despite compensatory training of the intact limb. Results showed that mice that exercised, in combination with intact limb training, demonstrated improved functional outcome compared to mice that received no training or compensatory limb training only. These findings suggest that exercise can prevent the deterioration of impaired limb functional outcome that is typically seen with intact limb use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Nemchek
- Neuroscience Program, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Emma M Haan
- Department of Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Rachel Mavros
- Department of Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Amanda Macuiba
- Department of Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Abigail L Kerr
- Department of Psychology, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA.
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12
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Nemchek V, Haan EM, Kerr AL. Intermittent Skill Training Results in Moderate Improvement in Functional Outcome in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2020; 35:79-87. [PMID: 33317421 DOI: 10.1177/1545968320975423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Focused training of the impaired limb has been shown to improve its functional outcome in animal models. However, most human stroke survivors exhibit persistent motor deficits, likely due to differences in rehabilitation intensity between experimental (animal) and clinical (human) settings. OBJECTIVE The current study investigated the effect of training intensity on behavioral outcome in a mouse model of stroke. METHODS Mice were trained preoperatively on a skilled reaching task. After training, mice received a unilateral photothrombotic stroke. Postoperatively, animals received either daily rehabilitative training (traditional intensity), intermittent rehabilitative training (every other day), or no rehabilitative training (control). Assessment of the impaired limb occurred after 14 training sessions (14 days for the Traditional group; 28 days for the Intermittent group). RESULTS Assessment of the impaired limb illustrated that traditional, daily training resulted in significantly better performance than no training, while intermittent training offered moderate performance gains. Mice receiving intermittent training performed significantly better than control mice but did not exhibit reaching performance as strong as that of animals trained daily. CONCLUSIONS The intensity of rehabilitation is important for optimal recovery. Although intermediate intensity offers some benefit, it is not intensive enough to mimic the performance gains traditionally observed in animal models. These results suggest that intensive training, which is often unavailable for human stroke survivors, is necessary to achieve an optimal functional outcome. The lower bounds of training intensity for functional benefit still need to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma M Haan
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
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13
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Dojo Soeandy C, Elia AJ, Cao Y, Rodgers C, Huang S, Elia AC, Henderson JT. Necroptotic-Apoptotic Regulation in an Endothelin-1 Model of Cerebral Ischemia. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:1727-1742. [PMID: 32844322 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00942-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The primary forms of cell death seen in ischemic stroke are of two major types: a necrotic/necroptotic form, and an apoptotic form that is frequently seen in penumbral regions of injury. Typically apoptotic versus necroptotic programmed cell death is described as competitive in nature, where necroptosis is often described as playing a backup role to apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the relationship between these two forms of cell death in a murine endothelin-1 model of ischemia-reperfusion injury in wildtype and caspase-3 null mice with and without addition of the pharmacologic RIPK1 phosphorylation inhibitor necrostatin-1. Analyses of ischemic brain injury were performed via both cellular and volumetric assessments, electron microscopy, TUNEL staining, activated caspase-3 and caspase-7 staining, as well as CD11b and F4/80 staining. Inhibition of caspase-3 or RIPK1 phosphorylation demonstrates significant neural protective effects which are non-additive and exhibit significant overlap in protected regions. Interestingly, morphologic analysis of the cortex demonstrates reduced apoptosis following RIPK1 inhibition. Consistent with this, RIPK1 inhibition reduces the levels of both caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation. Additionally, this protection appears independent of secondary inflammatory mediators. Together, these observations demonstrate that the necroptotic protein RIPK1 modifies caspase-3/-7 activity, ultimately resulting in decreased neuronal apoptosis. These findings thus modify the traditional exclusionary view of apoptotic/necroptotic signaling, revealing a new form of interaction between these dominant forms of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chesarahmia Dojo Soeandy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 962, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Andrew J Elia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue Rm 7-323, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Rm 15-701, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Yanshan Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 1010, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Christopher Rodgers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 962, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Shudi Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 962, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Andrea C Elia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 962, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Henderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, 144 College St. Rm 962, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada.
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Yamazaki R, Ohno N, Huang JK. Acute motor deficit and subsequent remyelination-associated recovery following internal capsule demyelination in mice. J Neurochem 2020; 156:917-928. [PMID: 32750162 PMCID: PMC8048697 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by accumulated motor disability. However, whether remyelination promotes motor recovery following demyelinating injury remains unclear. Damage to the internal capsule (IC) is known to result in motor impairment in multiple sclerosis and stroke. Here, we induced focal IC demyelination in mice by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) injection, and examined its effect on motor behavior. We also compared the effect of LPC-induced IC damage to that produced by endothelin-1 (ET1), a potent vasoconstrictor used in experimental stroke lesions. We found that LPC or ET1 injections induced asymmetric motor deficit at 7 days post-lesion (dpl), and that both lesion types displayed increased microglia/macrophage density, myelin loss, and axonal dystrophy. The motor deficit and lesion pathology remained in ET1-injected mice at 28 dpl. In contrast, LPC-injected mice regained motor function by 28 dpl, with corresponding reduction in activated microglia/macrophage density, and recovery of myelin staining and axonal integrity in lesions. These results suggest that LPC-induced IC demyelination results in acute motor deficit and subsequent recovery through remyelination, and may be used to complement future drug screens to identify drugs for promoting remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiji Yamazaki
- Department of Biology and Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Jeffrey K Huang
- Department of Biology and Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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15
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Freitas-Andrade M, Raman-Nair J, Lacoste B. Structural and Functional Remodeling of the Brain Vasculature Following Stroke. Front Physiol 2020; 11:948. [PMID: 32848875 PMCID: PMC7433746 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of cerebral blood vessel integrity and regulation of cerebral blood flow ensure proper brain function. The adult human brain represents only a small portion of the body mass, yet about a quarter of the cardiac output is dedicated to energy consumption by brain cells at rest. Due to a low capacity to store energy, brain health is heavily reliant on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, and is thus particularly vulnerable to stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. By transiently or permanently limiting tissue perfusion, stroke alters vascular integrity and function, compromising brain homeostasis and leading to widespread consequences from early-onset motor deficits to long-term cognitive decline. While numerous lines of investigation have been undertaken to develop new pharmacological therapies for stroke, only few advances have been made and most clinical trials have failed. Overall, our understanding of the acute and chronic vascular responses to stroke is insufficient, yet a better comprehension of cerebrovascular remodeling following stroke is an essential prerequisite for developing novel therapeutic options. In this review, we present a comprehensive update on post-stroke cerebrovascular remodeling, an important and growing field in neuroscience, by discussing cellular and molecular mechanisms involved, sex differences, limitations of preclinical research design and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanna Raman-Nair
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Baptiste Lacoste
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Novel therapeutic intervention that aims to enhance the endogenous recovery potential of the brain during the subacute phase of stroke has produced promising results. The paradigm shift in treatment approaches presents new challenges to preclinical and clinical researchers alike, especially in the functional endpoints domain. Shortcomings of the "neuroprotection" era of stroke research are yet to be fully addressed. Proportional recovery observed in clinics, and potentially in animal models, requires a thorough reevaluation of the methods used to assess recovery. To this end, this review aims to give a detailed evaluation of functional outcome measures used in clinics and preclinical studies. Impairments observed in clinics and animal models will be discussed from a functional testing perspective. Approaches needed to bridge the gap between clinical and preclinical research, along with potential means to measure the moving target recovery, will be discussed. Concepts such as true recovery of function and compensation and methods that are suitable for distinguishing the two are examined. Often-neglected outcomes of stroke, such as emotional disturbances, are discussed to draw attention to the need for further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Balkaya
- Burke Neurological Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Sunghee Cho
- Burke Neurological Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine at Burke Neurological Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA
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17
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Chen WC, Chang LH, Huang SS, Huang YJ, Chih CL, Kuo HC, Lee YH, Lee IH. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulates stroke-induced astrogliosis and neurogenesis in the adult mouse brain. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:187. [PMID: 31606043 PMCID: PMC6790016 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor activated by environmental agonists and dietary tryptophan metabolites for the immune response and cell cycle regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that AHR activation after acute stroke may play a role in brain ischemic injury. However, whether AHR activation alters poststroke astrogliosis and neurogenesis remains unknown. METHODS We adopted conditional knockout of AHR from nestin-expressing neural stem/progenitor cells (AHRcKO) and wild-type (WT) mice in the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. WT mice were treated with either vehicle or the AHR antagonist 6,2',4'-trimethoxyflavone (TMF, 5 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. The animals were examined at 2 and 7 days after MCAO. RESULTS The AHR signaling pathway was significantly upregulated after stroke. Both TMF-treated WT and AHRcKO mice showed significantly decreased infarct volume, improved sensorimotor, and nonspatial working memory functions compared with their respective controls. AHR immunoreactivities were increased predominantly in activated microglia and astrocytes after MCAO compared with the normal WT controls. The TMF-treated WT and AHRcKO mice demonstrated significant amelioration of astrogliosis and microgliosis. Interestingly, these mice also showed augmentation of neural progenitor cell proliferation at the ipsilesional neurogenic subventricular zone (SVZ) and the hippocampal subgranular zone. At the peri-infarct cortex, the ipsilesional SVZ/striatum, and the hippocampus, both the TMF-treated and AHRcKO mice demonstrated downregulated IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, CXCL1, and S100β, and concomitantly upregulated Neurogenin 2 and Neurogenin 1. CONCLUSION Neural cell-specific AHR activation following acute ischemic stroke increased astrogliosis and suppressed neurogenesis in adult mice. AHR inhibition in acute stroke may potentially benefit functional outcomes likely through reducing proinflammatory gliosis and preserving neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ci Chen
- Department and Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Beitou District, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hsin Chang
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Suo Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jie Huang
- Department and Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Beitou District, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan
| | | | - Hung-Chih Kuo
- Stem Cell Program, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Beitou District, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - I-Hui Lee
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Beitou District, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan.
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18
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Dojo Soeandy C, Salmasi F, Latif M, Elia AJ, Suo NJ, Henderson JT. Endothelin-1-mediated cerebral ischemia in mice: early cellular events and the role of caspase-3. Apoptosis 2019; 24:578-595. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-019-01541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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19
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Ho MT, Teal CJ, Shoichet MS. A hyaluronan/methylcellulose-based hydrogel for local cell and biomolecule delivery to the central nervous system. Brain Res Bull 2019; 148:46-54. [PMID: 30898580 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine strategies rely on exogenous cell transplantation and/or endogenous cell stimulation. Biomaterials can help to increase the regenerative potential of cells and biomolecules by controlling transplanted cell fate and provide a local, sustained release of biomolecules. In this review, we describe the use of a hyaluronan/methylcellulose (HAMC)-based hydrogel as a delivery vehicle to the brain, spinal cord, and retina to promote cellular survival and tissue repair. We discuss various controlled release strategies to prolong the delivery of factors for neuroprotection. The versatility of this hydrogel for a diversity of applications highlights its potential to enhance cell- and biomolecule-based treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret T Ho
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Carter J Teal
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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20
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Balkaya MG, Trueman RC, Boltze J, Corbett D, Jolkkonen J. Behavioral outcome measures to improve experimental stroke research. Behav Brain Res 2018; 352:161-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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21
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Zhu W, Gao Y, Wan J, Lan X, Han X, Zhu S, Zang W, Chen X, Ziai W, Hanley DF, Russo SJ, Jorge RE, Wang J. Changes in motor function, cognition, and emotion-related behavior after right hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage in various brain regions of mouse. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:568-581. [PMID: 29458197 PMCID: PMC5857479 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a detrimental type of stroke. Mouse models of ICH, induced by collagenase or blood infusion, commonly target striatum, but not other brain sites such as ventricular system, cortex, and hippocampus. Few studies have systemically investigated brain damage and neurobehavioral deficits that develop in animal models of ICH in these areas of the right hemisphere. Therefore, we evaluated the brain damage and neurobehavioral dysfunction associated with right hemispheric ICH in ventricle, cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. The ICH model was induced by autologous whole blood or collagenase VII-S (0.075 units in 0.5 µl saline) injection. At different time points after ICH induction, mice were assessed for brain tissue damage and neurobehavioral deficits. Sham control mice were used for comparison. We found that ICH location influenced features of brain damage, microglia/macrophage activation, and behavioral deficits. Furthermore, the 24-point neurologic deficit scoring system was most sensitive for evaluating locomotor abnormalities in all four models, especially on days 1, 3, and 7 post-ICH. The wire-hanging test was useful for evaluating locomotor abnormalities in models of striatal, intraventricular, and cortical ICH. The cylinder test identified locomotor abnormalities only in the striatal ICH model. The novel object recognition test was effective for evaluating recognition memory dysfunction in all models except for striatal ICH. The tail suspension test, forced swim test, and sucrose preference test were effective for evaluating emotional abnormality in all four models but did not correlate with severity of brain damage. These results will help to inform future preclinical studies of ICH outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Yufeng Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jieru Wan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xi Lan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xiaoning Han
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shanshan Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Wendy Ziai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel F Hanley
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ricardo E Jorge
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China.
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22
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Blockade of soluble epoxide hydrolase attenuates post-ischemic neuronal hyperexcitation and confers resilience against stroke with TrkB activation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:118. [PMID: 29311641 PMCID: PMC5758800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition and deletion of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been suggested to ameliorate infarction in experimental ischemic stroke possibly via vasoactive epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. However, it is unknown whether the neuroprotective mechanisms involve alteration of post-ischemic neuronal transmission and neurotrophic signaling. We used a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in adult wild-type mice with the sEH inhibitor 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic acid (AUDA) post-treatment and in sEH knockout (sEH KO) mice. We found that sensorimotor recovery was significantly enhanced after MCAO in both AUDA-treated and sEH KO mice, with decreased sEH activity and brain infarction. Decreased post-ischemic long-term potentiation (iLTP) was observed in an ex vivo hippocampal oxygen-glucose deprivation model. Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) activation, rather than glutamate receptor alteration, was consistently found after the different manipulations. Immunohistochemistry further revealed peri-infarct neuronal TrkB activation and microvasculature augmentation in AUDA-treated and sEH KO mice, suggesting parallel neurovascular enhancement. Mechanistically, pretreatment with a selective TrkB antagonist ANA12 countered the effect of iLTP attenuation induced by sEH deletion ex vivo and abolished the infarct reduction in vivo. Together, the neuroprotective effects of sEH inhibition and gene deletion can both be mediated partially via enhancement of TrkB signaling which attenuated post-ischemic neuroexcitation and neurological deficits.
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Alamri FF, Shoyaib AA, Biggers A, Jayaraman S, Guindon J, Karamyan VT. Applicability of the grip strength and automated von Frey tactile sensitivity tests in the mouse photothrombotic model of stroke. Behav Brain Res 2018; 336:250-255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Microelectrode implantation in motor cortex causes fine motor deficit: Implications on potential considerations to Brain Computer Interfacing and Human Augmentation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15254. [PMID: 29127346 PMCID: PMC5681545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15623-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracortical microelectrodes have shown great success in enabling locked-in patients to interact with computers, robotic limbs, and their own electrically driven limbs. The recent advances have inspired world-wide enthusiasm resulting in billions of dollars invested in federal and industrial sponsorships to understanding the brain for rehabilitative applications. Additionally, private philanthropists have also demonstrated excitement in the field by investing in the use of brain interfacing technologies as a means to human augmentation. While the promise of incredible technologies is real, caution must be taken as implications regarding optimal performance and unforeseen side effects following device implantation into the brain are not fully characterized. The current study is aimed to quantify any motor deficit caused by microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex of healthy rats compared to non-implanted controls. Following electrode insertion, rats were tested on an open-field grid test to study gross motor function and a ladder test to study fine motor function. It was discovered that rats with chronically indwelling intracortical microelectrodes exhibited up to an incredible 527% increase in time to complete the fine motor task. This initial study defines the need for further and more robust behavioral testing of potential unintentional harm caused by microelectrode implantation.
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25
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Automated touch sensing in the mouse tapered beam test using Raspberry Pi. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 291:221-226. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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26
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Corbett D, Carmichael ST, Murphy TH, Jones TA, Schwab ME, Jolkkonen J, Clarkson AN, Dancause N, Weiloch T, Johansen-Berg H, Nilsson M, McCullough LD, Joy MT. Enhancing the Alignment of the Preclinical and Clinical Stroke Recovery Research Pipeline: Consensus-Based Core Recommendations From the Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable Translational Working Group. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2017; 31:699-707. [DOI: 10.1177/1545968317724285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Stroke recovery research involves distinct biological and clinical targets compared to the study of acute stroke. Guidelines are proposed for the pre-clinical modeling of stroke recovery and for the alignment of pre-clinical studies to clinical trials in stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, Canada
| | - S. Thomas Carmichael
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Timothy H. Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Theresa A. Jones
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Martin E. Schwab
- Institute for Brain Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jukka Jolkkonen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Neurocenter, Neurology, University Hospital of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andrew N. Clarkson
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Center, and Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Numa Dancause
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC), Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Tadeusz Weiloch
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Lund, Sweden
| | - Heidi Johansen-Berg
- Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Nilsson
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Louise D. McCullough
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mary T. Joy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Zhang D, Han S, Wang S, Luo Y, Zhao L, Li J. cPKCγ-mediated down-regulation of UCHL1 alleviates ischaemic neuronal injuries by decreasing autophagy via ERK-mTOR pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:3641-3657. [PMID: 28726275 PMCID: PMC5706506 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the world, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Both conventional protein kinase C (cPKC)γ and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) are neuron-specific proteins. In the models of 1-hr middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)/24-hr reperfusion in mice and 1-hr oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/24-hr reoxygenation in cortical neurons, we found that cPKCγ gene knockout remarkably aggravated ischaemic injuries and simultaneously increased the levels of cleaved (Cl)-caspase-3 and LC3-I proteolysis product LC3-II, and the ratio of TUNEL-positive cells to total neurons. Moreover, cPKCγ gene knockout could increase UCHL1 protein expression via elevating its mRNA level regulated by the nuclear factor κB inhibitor alpha (IκB-α)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway in cortical neurons. Both inhibitor and shRNA of UCHL1 significantly reduced the ratio of LC3-II/total LC3, which contributed to neuronal survival after ischaemic stroke, but did not alter the level of Cl-caspase-3. In addition, UCHL1 shRNA reversed the effect of cPKCγ on the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and ERK rather than that of AMPK and GSK-3β. In conclusion, our results suggest that cPKCγ activation alleviates ischaemic injuries of mice and cortical neurons through inhibiting UCHL1 expression, which may negatively regulate autophagy through ERK-mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Song Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shizun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlin Luo
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfa Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Corbett D, Carmichael ST, Murphy TH, Jones TA, Schwab ME, Jolkkonen J, Clarkson AN, Dancause N, Weiloch T, Johansen-Berg H, Nilsson M, McCullough LD, Joy MT. Enhancing the alignment of the preclinical and clinical stroke recovery research pipeline: Consensus-based core recommendations from the Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable translational working group. Int J Stroke 2017; 12:462-471. [DOI: 10.1177/1747493017711814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Stroke recovery research involves distinct biological and clinical targets compared to the study of acute stroke. Guidelines are proposed for the pre-clinical modeling of stroke recovery and for the alignment of pre-clinical studies to clinical trials in stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, Canada
| | - S Thomas Carmichael
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Timothy H Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Theresa A Jones
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Martin E Schwab
- Institute for Brain Research, University of Zurich
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jukka Jolkkonen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Neurocenter, Neurology, University Hospital of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andrew N Clarkson
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Center, and Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Numa Dancause
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux central (GRSNC), Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Tadeusz Weiloch
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Lund, Sweden
| | - Heidi Johansen-Berg
- Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Nilsson
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Louise D McCullough
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mary T Joy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Dai P, Huang H, Zhang L, He J, Zhao X, Yang F, Zhao N, Yang J, Ge L, Lin Y, Yu H, Wang J. A pilot study on transient ischemic stroke induced with endothelin-1 in the rhesus monkeys. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45097. [PMID: 28358140 PMCID: PMC5372164 DOI: 10.1038/srep45097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictor, has recently been used to induce focal ischemia in rodents and marmoset monkeys. The rhesus monkey, however, has numerous advantages to the rodent and marmoset that make it a superior and irreplaceable animal model for studying stroke in the brain. In the present study, after mapping the preferred hand representation in two healthy male monkeys with intracortical micro-stimulation, ET-1 was microinjected into the contralateral motor cortex (M1) to its preferred hand. The monkeys had been trained in three manual dexterity tasks before the microinjection and were tested for these tasks following the ET-1 injection. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans were performed 1, 7, 14 and 28 days post ischemia. It was found that ET-1 impaired the manual dexterity of the monkeys in the vertical slot and rotating Brinkman board tasks 3–8 days after the injection. Brain imaging found that severe edema was present 7 days after the focal ischemia. This data suggest that ET-1 can induce transient ischemic stroke in rhesus monkey and that ET-1 induced focal ischemia in non-human primates is a potential model to study the mechanism of stroke and brain repair after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- PeiMin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, First People's Hospital of Honghe State, Honghe, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Center People's Hospital of Zhumadian State, Zhumadian, China.,Second Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing He
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - XuDong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - FuHan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Second Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - JianZhen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - LongJiao Ge
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - HuaLin Yu
- Second Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - JianHong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences &Yunnan Province, Kunming Primates Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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Evolution of ischemic damage and behavioural deficit over 6 months after MCAo in the rat: Selecting the optimal outcomes and statistical power for multi-centre preclinical trials. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171688. [PMID: 28182727 PMCID: PMC5300105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Key disparities between the timing and methods of assessment in animal stroke studies and clinical trial may be part of the reason for the failure to translate promising findings. This study investigates the development of ischemic damage after thread occlusion MCAo in the rat, using histological and behavioural outcomes. Using the adhesive removal test we investigate the longevity of behavioural deficit after ischemic stroke in rats, and examine the practicality of using such measures as the primary outcome for future studies. Ischemic stroke was induced in 132 Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats which were assessed for behavioural and histological deficits at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days, 12 and 24 weeks (n>11 per timepoint). The basic behavioural score confirmed induction of stroke, with deficits specific to stroke animals. Within 7 days, these deficits resolved in 50% of animals. The adhesive removal test revealed contralateral neglect for up to 6 months following stroke. Sample size calculations to facilitate the use of this test as the primary experimental outcome resulted in cohort sizes much larger than are the norm for experimental studies. Histological damage progressed from a necrotic infarct to a hypercellular area that cleared to leave a fluid filled cavity. Whilst absolute volume of damage changed over time, when corrected for changes in hemispheric volume, an equivalent area of damage was lost at all timepoints. Using behavioural measures at chronic timepoints presents significant challenges to the basic science community in terms of the large number of animals required and the practicalities associated with this. Multicentre preclinical randomised controlled trials as advocated by the MultiPART consortium may be the only practical way to deal with this issue.
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Wei H, Li Y, Han S, Liu S, Zhang N, Zhao L, Li S, Li J. cPKCγ-Modulated Autophagy in Neurons Alleviates Ischemic Injury in Brain of Mice with Ischemic Stroke Through Akt-mTOR Pathway. Transl Stroke Res 2016; 7:497-511. [PMID: 27510769 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-016-0484-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have reported that neuron-specific conventional protein kinase C (cPKC)γ is involved in the development of cerebral hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) and the neuroprotection against ischemic injuries, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. In this study, the adult and postnatal 24 h C57BL/6J wild-type (cPKCγ+/+) and cPKCγ knockout (cPKCγ-/-) mice were respectively used to establish the models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced ischemic stroke in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated primarily cultured cortical neurons as cell ischemia in vitro. The results showed that cPKCγ knockout could increase the infarct volume and neuronal cell loss in the peri-infarct region, and enhance the neurological deficits, the impaired coordination, and the reduced muscle strength of mice following 1 h MCAO/1-7 days reperfusion. Meanwhile, cPKCγ knockout significantly increased the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and beclin-1 protein expression, and resulted in more reductions in P-Akt, P-mTOR, and P-S6 phosphorylation levels in the peri-infarct region of mice with ischemic stroke. The autophagy inhibitor BafA1 could enhance or reduce neuronal cell loss in the peri-infarct region of cPKCγ+/+ and cPKCγ-/- mice after ischemic stroke. In addition, cPKCγ knockout and restoration could aggravate or alleviate OGD-induced neuronal ischemic injury in vitro through Akt-mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy. These results suggested that cPKCγ-modulated neuron-specific autophagy improves the neurological outcome of mice following ischemic stroke through the Akt-mTOR pathway, providing a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiping Wei
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuiqiao Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junfa Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, #10 You An Men Wai Xi Tou Tiao, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Vahid-Ansari F, Lagace DC, Albert PR. Persistent post-stroke depression in mice following unilateral medial prefrontal cortical stroke. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e863. [PMID: 27483381 PMCID: PMC5022078 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common outcome following stroke that is associated with poor recovery. To develop a preclinical model of PSD, we targeted a key node of the depression-anxiety circuitry by inducing a unilateral ischemic lesion to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) stroke. Microinjection of male C57/BL6 mice with endothelin-1 (ET-1, 1600 pmol) induced a small (1 mm(3)) stroke consistently localized within the left mPFC. Compared with sham control mice, the stroke mice displayed a robust behavioral phenotype in four validated tests of anxiety including the elevated plus maze, light-dark, open-field and novelty-suppressed feeding tests. In addition, the stroke mice displayed depression-like behaviors in both the forced swim and tail suspension test. In contrast, there was no effect on locomotor activity or sensorimotor function in the horizontal ladder, or cylinder and home cage activity tests, indicating a silent stroke due to the absence of motor abnormalities. When re-tested at 6 weeks post stroke, the stroke mice retained both anxiety and depression phenotypes. Surprisingly, at 6 weeks post stroke the lesion site was infiltrated by neurons, suggesting that the ET-1-induced neuronal loss in the mPFC was reversible over time, but was insufficient to promote behavioral recovery. In summary, unilateral ischemic lesion of the mPFC results in a pronounced and persistent anxiety and depression phenotype with no evident sensorimotor deficits. This precise lesion of the depression circuitry provides a reproducible model to study adaptive cellular changes and preclinical efficacy of novel interventions to alleviate PSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vahid-Ansari
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - D C Lagace
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H-8M5, Canada E-mail:
| | - P R Albert
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H-8M5, Canada. E-mail:
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33
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Kerr AL, Cheffer KA, Curtis MC, Rodriguez A. Long-term deficits of the paretic limb follow post-stroke compensatory limb use in C57BL/6 mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 303:103-8. [PMID: 26821290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability that most often results in impairment of a single limb, contralateral to the injury (paretic limb). While stroke survivors often receive some type of rehabilitative training, chronic deficits persist. It has been suggested that compensatory use of the nonparetic limb immediately after injury may underlie these long-term consequences. The current study investigated the behavioral effects of early compensatory limb use on behavioral outcome of the paretic limb in a mouse model of stroke. Mice received unilateral stroke after acquiring skilled motor performance on a reaching task. Following injury, mice received either delayed rehabilitation of the paretic limb or compensatory limb training prior to delayed rehabilitative training. After 28 days of focused rehabilitative training of the paretic limb, mice that had previously received compensatory limb training exhibited performance that was similar to their initial deficit after stroke while mice that received delayed rehabilitative training improved to pre-operative performance levels. Our results indicate that even with extensive focused training of the paretic limb, early compensatory limb use has a lasting impact on the behavioral flexibility and ultimate functional outcome of the paretic limb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Kerr
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Psychology Department, 1312 Park Street, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61702, USA.
| | - Kimberly A Cheffer
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Psychology Department, 1312 Park Street, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61702, USA
| | - Mark C Curtis
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Psychology Department, 1312 Park Street, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61702, USA
| | - Anjelica Rodriguez
- Illinois Wesleyan University, Psychology Department, 1312 Park Street, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61702, USA
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34
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A Within-Animal Comparison of Skilled Forelimb Assessments in Rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141254. [PMID: 26506434 PMCID: PMC4624720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of skilled reaching tasks have been developed to evaluate forelimb function in rodent models. The single pellet skilled reaching task and pasta matrix task have provided valuable insight into recovery of forelimb function in models of neurological injury and disease. Recently, several automated measures have been developed to reduce the cost and time burden of forelimb assessment in rodents. Here, we provide a within-subject comparison of three common forelimb assessments to allow direct evaluation of sensitivity and efficiency across tasks. Rats were trained to perform the single pellet skilled reaching task, the pasta matrix task, and the isometric pull task. Once proficient on all three tasks, rats received an ischemic lesion of motor cortex and striatum to impair use of the trained limb. On the second week post-lesion, all three tasks measured a significant deficit in forelimb function. Performance was well-correlated across tasks. By the sixth week post-lesion, only the isometric pull task measured a significant deficit in forelimb function, suggesting that this task is more sensitive to chronic impairments. The number of training days required to reach asymptotic performance was longer for the isometric pull task, but the total experimenter time required to collect and analyze data was substantially lower. These findings suggest that the isometric pull task represents an efficient, sensitive measure of forelimb function to facilitate preclinical evaluation in models of neurological injury and disease.
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Delayed inhibition of VEGF signaling after stroke attenuates blood-brain barrier breakdown and improves functional recovery in a comorbidity-dependent manner. J Neurosci 2015; 35:5128-43. [PMID: 25834040 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2810-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a common comorbidity in stroke patients and a strong predictor of poor functional outcome. To provide a more mechanistic understanding of this clinically relevant problem, we focused on how diabetes affects blood-brain barrier (BBB) function after stroke. Because the BBB can be compromised for days after stroke and thus further exacerbate ischemic injury, manipulating its function presents a unique opportunity for enhancing stroke recovery long after the window for thrombolytics has passed. Using a mouse model of Type 1 diabetes, we discovered that ischemic stroke leads to an abnormal and persistent increase in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) expression in peri-infarct vascular networks. Correlating with this, BBB permeability was markedly increased in diabetic mice, which could not be prevented with insulin treatment after stroke. Imaging of capillary ultrastructure revealed that BBB permeability was associated with an increase in endothelial transcytosis rather than a loss of tight junctions. Pharmacological inhibition (initiated 2.5 d after stroke) or vascular-specific knockdown of VEGF-R2 after stroke attenuated BBB permeability, loss of synaptic structure in peri-infarct regions, and improved recovery of forepaw function. However, the beneficial effects of VEGF-R2 inhibition on stroke recovery were restricted to diabetic mice and appeared to worsen BBB permeability in nondiabetic mice. Collectively, these results suggest that aberrant VEGF signaling and BBB dysfunction after stroke plays a crucial role in limiting functional recovery in an experimental model of diabetes. Furthermore, our data highlight the need to develop more personalized stroke treatments for a heterogeneous clinical population.
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Welniarz Q, Dusart I, Gallea C, Roze E. One hand clapping: lateralization of motor control. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:75. [PMID: 26082690 PMCID: PMC4451425 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateralization of motor control refers to the ability to produce pure unilateral or asymmetric movements. It is required for a variety of coordinated activities, including skilled bimanual tasks and locomotion. Here we discuss the neuroanatomical substrates and pathophysiological underpinnings of lateralized motor outputs. Significant breakthroughs have been made in the past few years by studying the two known conditions characterized by the inability to properly produce unilateral or asymmetric movements, namely human patients with congenital “mirror movements” and model rodents with a “hopping gait”. Whereas mirror movements are associated with altered interhemispheric connectivity and abnormal corticospinal projections, abnormal spinal cord interneurons trajectory is responsible for the “hopping gait”. Proper commissural axon guidance is a critical requirement for these mechanisms. Interestingly, the analysis of these two conditions reveals that the production of asymmetric movements involves similar anatomical and functional requirements but in two different structures: (i) lateralized activation of the brain or spinal cord through contralateral silencing by cross-midline inhibition; and (ii) unilateral transmission of this activation, resulting in lateralized motor output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Welniarz
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, CNRS UMR8246, Inserm U1130, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC UM119 Paris, France ; Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Dusart
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, CNRS UMR8246, Inserm U1130, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC UM119 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Gallea
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Roze
- Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC UMR S1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM Paris, France ; Département des Maladies du Système Nerveux, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière Paris, France
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Abstract
The cylinder test is routinely used to predict focal ischemic damage to the forelimb motor cortex in rodents. When placed in the cylinder, rodents explore by rearing and touching the walls of the cylinder with their forelimb paws for postural support. Following ischemic injury to the forelimb sensorimotor cortex, rats rely more heavily on their unaffected forelimb paw for postural support resulting in fewer touches with their affected paw which is termed forelimb asymmetry. In contrast, focal ischemic damage in the mouse brain fails to result in comparable consistent deficits in forelimb asymmetry. While forelimb asymmetry deficits are infrequently observed, mice do demonstrate a novel behaviour post stroke termed "paw-dragging". Paw-dragging is the tendency for a mouse to drag its affected paw along the cylinder wall rather than directly push off from the wall when dismounting from a rear to a four-legged stance. We have previously demonstrated that paw-dragging behaviour is highly sensitive to small cortical ischemic injuries to the forelimb motor cortex. Here we provide a detailed protocol for paw-dragging analysis. We define what a paw-drag is and demonstrate how to quantify paw-dragging behaviour. The cylinder test is a simple and inexpensive test to administer and does not require pre-training or food deprivation strategies. In using paw-dragging analysis with the cylinder test, it fills a niche for predicting cortical ischemic injuries such as photothrombosis and Endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced ischemia--two models that are ever-increasing in popularity and produce smaller focal injuries than middle cerebral artery occlusion. Finally, measuring paw-dragging behaviour in the cylinder test will allow studies of functional recovery after cortical injury using a wide cohort of transgenic mouse strains where previous forelimb asymmetry analysis has failed to detect consistent deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Brian Roome
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
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38
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Taylor SL, Trudeau D, Arnold B, Wang J, Gerrow K, Summerfeldt K, Holmes A, Zamani A, Brocardo PS, Brown CE. VEGF can protect against blood brain barrier dysfunction, dendritic spine loss and spatial memory impairment in an experimental model of diabetes. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 78:1-11. [PMID: 25829228 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical and experimental studies have shown a clear link between diabetes, vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. However, the molecular underpinnings of this association remain unclear. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is important for maintaining vascular integrity and function, we hypothesized that vascular and cognitive impairment in the diabetic brain could be related to a deficiency in VEGF signaling. Here we show that chronic hyperglycemia (~8weeks) in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes leads to a selective reduction in the expression of VEGF and its cognate receptor (VEGF-R2) in the hippocampus. Correlating with this, diabetic mice showed selective deficits in spatial memory in the Morris water maze, increased vessel area, width and permeability in the dentate gyrus/CA1 region of the hippocampus and reduced spine densities in CA1 neurons. Chronic low dose infusion of VEGF in diabetic mice was sufficient to restore VEGF signaling, protect them from memory deficits, as well as vascular and synaptic abnormalities in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that a hippocampal specific reduction in VEGF signaling and resultant vascular/neuronal defects may underlie early manifestations of cognitive impairment commonly associated with diabetes. Furthermore, restoring VEGF signaling may be a useful strategy for preserving hippocampal-related brain circuitry in degenerative vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Taylor
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Dustin Trudeau
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Brendan Arnold
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Joshua Wang
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Kim Gerrow
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Kieran Summerfeldt
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Akram Zamani
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Patricia S Brocardo
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Craig E Brown
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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39
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Tennant KA, Kerr AL, Adkins DL, Donlan N, Thomas N, Kleim JA, Jones TA. Age-dependent reorganization of peri-infarct "premotor" cortex with task-specific rehabilitative training in mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 29:193-202. [PMID: 25009222 PMCID: PMC4277492 DOI: 10.1177/1545968314541329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of stroke in adulthood increases with advancing age, but there is little understanding of how poststroke treatment should be tailored by age. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine if age and task specificity of rehabilitative training affect behavioral improvement and motor cortical organization after stroke. METHODS Young and aged mice were trained to proficiency on the Pasta Matrix Reaching Task prior to lesion induction in primary motor cortex with endothelin-1. After a short recovery period, mice received 9 weeks of rehabilitative training on either the previously learned task (Pasta Matrix Reaching), a different reaching task (Tray Reaching), or no training. To determine the extent of relearning, mice were tested once weekly on the Pasta Matrix Reaching Task. Mice then underwent intracortical microstimulation mapping to resolve the remaining forelimb movement representations in perilesion motor cortex. RESULTS Although aged mice had significantly larger lesions compared with young mice, Pasta Matrix Reaching served as effective rehabilitative training for both age-groups. Young animals also showed improvement after Tray Reaching. Behavioral improvement in young mice was associated with an expansion of the rostral forelimb area ("premotor" cortex), but we failed to see reorganization in the aged brain, despite similar behavioral improvements. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that reorganization of motor cortex may be limited by either aging or greater tissue damage, but the capacity to improve motor function via task-specific rehabilitative training continues to be well maintained in aged animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Tennant
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Nagheme Thomas
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Kleim
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Bell JA, Wolke ML, Ortez RC, Jones TA, Kerr AL. Training Intensity Affects Motor Rehabilitation Efficacy Following Unilateral Ischemic Insult of the Sensorimotor Cortex in C57BL/6 Mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2014; 29:590-8. [PMID: 25323461 DOI: 10.1177/1545968314553031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor rehabilitative training improves behavioral functionality and promotes beneficial neural reorganization following stroke but is often insufficient to normalize function. Rodent studies have relied on skilled reaching tasks to model motor rehabilitation and explore factors contributing to its efficacy. It has been found that greater training intensity (sessions/day) and duration (training days) facilitates motor skill learning in intact animals. Whether rehabilitative training efficacy varies with intensity following stroke is unclear. METHODS Mice were trained preoperatively on a skilled reaching task. Following focal ischemic lesions, mice received rehabilitative training either twice daily (high intensity [HI]), once daily (low intensity [LI]), or not at all (control) to determine the effects of rehabilitative training intensity on skilled motor performance. RESULTS Within 7 days, the HI-trained mice achieved preischemic levels of performance. Mice receiving LI training eventually reached similar performance levels but required a greater quantity of training. Training intensity did not consistently affect the maintenance of performance gains, which were partially lost over time in both groups. DISCUSSION These data indicate that increased training intensity increases the rate of functional improvements per time and per training session following ischemic insult. Thus, training intensity is an important variable to consider in efforts to optimize rehabilitation efficacy.
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Kerr AL, Tennant KA. Compensatory limb use and behavioral assessment of motor skill learning following sensorimotor cortex injury in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. J Vis Exp 2014. [PMID: 25045916 DOI: 10.3791/51602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse models have become increasingly popular in the field of behavioral neuroscience, and specifically in studies of experimental stroke. As models advance, it is important to develop sensitive behavioral measures specific to the mouse. The present protocol describes a skilled motor task for use in mouse models of stroke. The Pasta Matrix Reaching Task functions as a versatile and sensitive behavioral assay that permits experimenters to collect accurate outcome data and manipulate limb use to mimic human clinical phenomena including compensatory strategies (i.e., learned non-use) and focused rehabilitative training. When combined with neuroanatomical tools, this task also permits researchers to explore the mechanisms that support behavioral recovery of function (or lack thereof) following stroke. The task is both simple and affordable to set up and conduct, offering a variety of training and testing options for numerous research questions concerning functional outcome following injury. Though the task has been applied to mouse models of stroke, it may also be beneficial in studies of functional outcome in other upper extremity injury models.
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Roome RB, Bartlett RF, Jeffers M, Xiong J, Corbett D, Vanderluit JL. A reproducible Endothelin-1 model of forelimb motor cortex stroke in the mouse. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 233:34-44. [PMID: 24915635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the availability of numerous transgenic mouse lines to study the role of individual genes in promoting neural repair following stroke, few studies have availed of this technology, primarily due to the lack of a reproducible ischemic injury model in the mouse. Intracortical injections of Endothelin-1 (ET1) a potent vasoconstrictive agent, reliably produces focal infarcts with concomitant behavioral deficits in rats. In contrast, ET1 infarcts in mice are significantly smaller and do not generate consistent behavioral deficits. NEW METHOD We have modified the ET1 ischemia model to target the anterior forelimb motor cortex (aFMC) and show that this generates a reproducible focal ischemic injury in mice with consistent behavioral deficits. Furthermore, we have developed a novel analysis of the cylinder test by quantifying paw-dragging behavior. RESULTS ET1 injections which damage deep layer neurons in the aFMC generate reproducible deficits on the staircase test. Cylinder test analysis showed no forelimb asymmetry post-injection; however, we observed a novel paw-dragging behavior in mice which is a positive sign of damage to the FMC. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Previous ET1 studies have demonstrated inconsistent behavioral deficits; however, targeting ET1 injections to the aFMC reliably results in staircase deficits. We show that analysis of paw-dragging behavior in the cylinder test is a more sensitive measure of damage to the FMC than the classical forelimb asymmetry analysis. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a focal ischemic injury model in the mouse that results in reproducible behavioral deficits and can be used to test future regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Brian Roome
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada
| | - Robert F Bartlett
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada
| | - Matthew Jeffers
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada; Department Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jieying Xiong
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada
| | - Dale Corbett
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada; Department Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jacqueline L Vanderluit
- BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Canada.
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Abstract
Stroke usually affects people with underlying medical conditions. In particular, diabetics are significantly more likely to have a stroke and the prognosis for recovery is poor. Because diabetes is associated with degenerative changes in the vasculature of many organs, we sought to determine how hyperglycemia affects blood flow dynamics after an ischemic stroke. Longitudinal in vivo two-photon imaging was used to track microvessels before and after photothrombotic stroke in a diabetic mouse model. Chronic hyperglycemia exacerbated acute (3-7 d) ischemia-induced increases in blood flow velocity, vessel lumen diameter, and red blood cell flux in peri-infarct regions. These changes in blood flow dynamics were most evident in superficial blood vessels within 500 μm from the infarct, rather than deeper or more distant cortical regions. Long-term imaging of diabetic mice not subjected to stroke indicated that these acute stroke-related changes in vascular function could not be attributed to complications from hyperglycemia alone. Treating diabetic mice with insulin immediately after stroke resulted in less severe alterations in blood flow within the first 7 d of recovery, but had more variable results at later time points. Analysis of microvessel branching patterns revealed that stroke led to a pruning of microvessels in peri-infarct cortex, with very few instances of sprouting. These results indicate that chronic hyperglycemia significantly affects the vascular response to ischemic stroke and that insulin only partially mitigates these changes. The combination of these acute and chronic alterations in blood flow dynamics could underlie diabetes-related deficits in cortical plasticity and stroke recovery.
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Spalletti C, Lai S, Mainardi M, Panarese A, Ghionzoli A, Alia C, Gianfranceschi L, Chisari C, Micera S, Caleo M. A robotic system for quantitative assessment and poststroke training of forelimb retraction in mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2013; 28:188-96. [PMID: 24213954 DOI: 10.1177/1545968313506520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurorehabilitation protocols based on the use of robotic devices have recently shown to provide promising clinical results. However, their efficacy is still limited because of the poor comprehension of the mechanisms at the basis of functional enhancements. OBJECTIVE To increase basic understanding of robot-mediated neurorehabilitation by performing experiments on a rodent model of stroke. METHODS Mice were trained to pull back a handle on a robotic platform and their performances in the task were evaluated before and after a focal cortical ischemic stroke. The platform was designed for the quantitative assessment of forelimb function via a series of parameters (time needed to complete the task, t-target; average force; number of sub-movements). RESULTS The animals rapidly learned the retraction task and reached asymptotic performance by the fifth session of training. Within 2 to 6 days after a small, endothelin-1-induced lesion in the caudal forelimb area, mice showed an increase in t-target and number of sub-movements and a corresponding decrease in the average force exerted. These parameters returned to baseline, pre-lesion values with continued platform training (10-14 days after stroke). CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the utility of the devised platform for characterizing post-infarct deficits and improvements of forelimb performance. Further research is warranted to widen the understanding of device-dependent rehabilitation effects.
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Bioengineered sequential growth factor delivery stimulates brain tissue regeneration after stroke. J Control Release 2013; 172:1-11. [PMID: 23933523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of disability with no effective regenerative treatment. One promising strategy for achieving tissue repair involves the stimulation of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells through sequential delivery of epidermal growth factor (EGF) followed by erythropoietin (EPO). Yet currently available delivery strategies such as intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion cause significant tissue damage. We designed a novel delivery system that circumvents the blood brain barrier and directly releases growth factors to the brain. Sequential release of the two growth factors is a key in eliciting tissue repair. To control release, we encapsulate pegylated EGF (EGF-PEG) in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and EPO in biphasic microparticles comprised of a PLGA core and a poly(sebacic acid) coating. EGF-PEG and EPO polymeric particles are dispersed in a hyaluronan methylcellulose (HAMC) hydrogel which spatially confines the particles and attenuates the inflammatory response of brain tissue. Our composite-mediated, sequential delivery of EGF-PEG and EPO leads to tissue repair in a mouse stroke model and minimizes damage compared to ICV infusion.
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Rosenzweig S, Carmichael ST. Age-dependent exacerbation of white matter stroke outcomes: a role for oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators. Stroke 2013; 44:2579-86. [PMID: 23868277 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.113.001796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Subcortical white matter stroke (WMS) constitutes up to 30% of all stroke subtypes. Mechanisms of oligodendrocyte and axon injury and repair play a central role in the damage and recovery after this type of stroke, and a comprehensive study of these processes requires a specialized experimental model that is different from common large artery, gray matter stroke models. Diminished recovery from stroke in aged patients implies that damage and repair processes are affected by advanced age, but such effects have not been studied in WMS. METHODS WMS was produced with focal microinjection of the vasoconstrictor N5-(1-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine into the subcortical white matter ventral to the mouse forelimb motor cortex in young adult (2 months), middle-aged (15 months), and aged mice (24 months). RESULTS WMS produced localized oligodendrocyte cell death with higher numbers of apoptotic cells and greater oxidative damage in aged brains than in young-adult brains. Increased expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α in motor cortex neurons correlated with a more distributed microglial activation in aged brains 7 days after WMS. At 2 months, aged mice displayed increased white matter atrophy and greater loss of corticostriatal connections compared with young-adult mice. Behavioral testing revealed an age-dependent exacerbation of forelimb motor deficits caused by the stroke, with decreased long-term functional recovery in aged animals. CONCLUSIONS Age has a profound effect on the outcome of WMS, with more prolonged cell death and oxidative damage, increased inflammation, greater secondary white matter atrophy, and a worse behavioral effect in aged versus young-adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Rosenzweig
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Kerr AL, Wolke ML, Bell JA, Jones TA. Post-stroke protection from maladaptive effects of learning with the non-paretic forelimb by bimanual home cage experience in C57BL/6 mice. Behav Brain Res 2013; 252:180-7. [PMID: 23756140 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral experience, in the form of skilled limb use, has been found to impact the structure and function of the central nervous system, affecting post-stroke behavioral outcome in both adaptive and maladaptive ways. Learning to rely on the less-affected, or non-paretic, body side is common following stroke in both humans and rodent models. In rats, it has been observed that skilled learning with the non-paretic forelimb following ischemic insult leads to impaired or delayed functional recovery of the paretic limb. Here we used a mouse model of focal motor cortical ischemic injury to examine the effects of non-paretic limb training following unilateral stroke. In addition, we exposed some mice to increased bimanual experience in the home cage following stroke to investigate the impact of coordinated dexterous limb use on the non-paretic limb training effect. Our results confirmed that skilled learning with the non-paretic limb impaired functional recovery following stroke in C56BL/6 mice, as it does in rats. Further, this effect was avoided when the skill learning of the non-paretic limb was coupled with increased dexterous use of both forelimbs in the home cage. These findings further establish the mouse as an appropriate model in which to study the neural mechanisms of recovery following stroke and extend previous findings to suggest that the dexterous coordinated use of the paretic and non-paretic limb can promote functional outcome following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Kerr
- University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Department, 1 University Station, A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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A behavioral method for identifying recovery and compensation: Hand use in a preclinical stroke model using the single pellet reaching task. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:950-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Clarkson AN, López-Valdés HE, Overman JJ, Charles AC, Brennan KC, Thomas Carmichael S. Multimodal examination of structural and functional remapping in the mouse photothrombotic stroke model. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2013; 33:716-23. [PMID: 23385201 PMCID: PMC3652691 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies show a limited capacity for neural repair after stroke, which includes remapping of sensorimotor functions and sprouting of new connections. However, physiologic and connectional plasticity of sensory maps during long-term functional recovery in the mouse have not been determined. Using a photothrombotic stroke model, we targeted the motor cortex, which we show results in lasting behavioral deficits on the grid-walking and in the cylinder tasks out to 8 weeks after stroke. Mice recovered performance in a skilled reaching task, showing no deficit from week 2 after stroke. Long-term optical intrinsic signal imaging revealed functional reorganization of sensory cortical maps for both forelimb and hindlimb, with more diffuse sensory physiologic maps. There was a small but significant increase in motor neuron projections within the areas of functional cortical reorganization as assessed using the neuroanatomic tracer biotinylated dextran amine. These findings show that the sensorimotor cortex undergoes remapping of cortical functions and axonal sprouting within the same regions during recovery after stroke. This suggests a linked structural and physiologic plasticity underlying recovery. Combined long-term structural and functional mapping after stroke in the mouse is practical and provides a rich data set for mechanistic analysis of stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Clarkson
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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Shi GX, Yang CY, Wu MM, Guan LP, Wang LP, Liu CZ. Muscle hypertonia after permanent focal cerebral ischemia in rats: a qualitative and quantitative behavioral and electrophysiological study. Int J Neurosci 2013; 123:575-81. [PMID: 23509968 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.783578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Xia Shi
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Yan Yang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Meng Wu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ping Guan
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Peng Wang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University,
Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
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