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Wang K, Zhou W, Wen L, Jin X, Meng T, Li S, Hong Y, Xu Y, Yuan H, Hu F. The protective effects of Axitinib on blood-brain barrier dysfunction and ischemia-reperfusion injury in acute ischemic stroke. Exp Neurol 2024; 379:114870. [PMID: 38897539 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114870] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The pathophysiological features of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) often involve dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), characterized by the degradation of tight junction proteins (Tjs) leading to increased permeability. This dysfunction can exacerbate cerebral injury and contribute to severe complications. The permeability of the BBB fluctuates during different stages of AIS and is influenced by various factors. Developing effective therapies to restore BBB function remains a significant challenge in AIS treatment. High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the early stages of AIS have been shown to worsen BBB breakdown and stroke progression. Our study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the VEGF receptor inhibitor Axitinib on BBB dysfunction and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. METHODS BEnd3 cell exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was constructed to estimate pharmacological activity of Axitinib (400 ng/ml) on anti-apoptosis and pathological barrier function recovery. In vivo, rats were subjected to a 1 h transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and 23 h reperfusion (tMCAO/R) to investigate the permeability of BBB and cerebral tissue damage. Axitinib was administered through the tail vein at the beginning of reperfusion. BBB integrity was assessed by Evans blue leakage and the expression levels of Tjs claudin-5 and occludin. RESULTS Our research revealed that co-incubation with Axitinib enhanced the cell viability of OGD-insulted bEnd3 cells, decreased LDH leakage rate, and suppressed the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cytochrome C and Bax. Axitinib also mitigated the damage to Tjs and facilitated the restoration of transepithelial electrical resistance in OGD-insulted bEnd.3 cells. In vivo, Axitinib administration reduced intracerebral Evans blue leakage and up-regulated the expression of Tjs in the penumbra brain tissue in tMCAO/R rats. Notably, 10 mg/kg Axitinib exerted a significant anti-ischemic effect by decreasing cerebral infarct volume and brain edema volume, improving neurological function, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in the brain. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights Axitinib as a potent protectant of blood-brain barrier function, capable of promoting pathological blood-brain barrier recovery through VEGF inhibition and increased expression of tight junction proteins in AIS. This suggests that VEGF antagonism within the first 24 h post-stroke could be a novel therapeutic approach to enhance blood-brain barrier function and mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China
| | - Wentao Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Lijun Wen
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Tranditional Chinese Medicine-Hakka Medical Resources Branch, College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Jin
- Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Tingting Meng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China
| | - Sufen Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yiling Hong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Yichong Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Hong Yuan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China
| | - Fuqiang Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, PR China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China.
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Tang P, Liu Y, Peng S, Cai Z, Tang G, Zhou Z, Hu K, Zhong Y. Cerebral [ 18F]AIF-FAPI-42-Based PET Imaging of Fibroblast Activation Protein for Non-invasive Quantification of Fibrosis After Ischemic Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2024:10.1007/s12975-024-01269-2. [PMID: 38940873 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-024-01269-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The development of fibrosis after injury to the brain or spinal cord limits the regeneration of the central nervous system in adult mammals. However, the extent of fibrosis in the injured brain has not been systematically investigated in mammals in vivo. This study aimed to assess whether [18F]AlF-FAPI-42-based cerebral positron emission tomography (PET) can be utilized to assess the extent of fibrosis in ischemic regions of the brain in vivo. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent permanent occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCAO). On days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after MCAO, the uptake of [18F]AlF-FAPI-42 in the ischemic region of the brain in the MCAO groups surpassed that in the control group (day 0). The specific expression of fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) in ischemic regions of the brain was also confirmed in immunohistofluorescence experiments in vitro. [18F]AlF-FAPI-42 intensity correlated with the density of collagen deposition in the ischemic hemisphere (p < 0.001). [18F]AlF-FAPI-42 PET/CT imaging demonstrated a specific uptake of radioactivity in the infarcted area in an ischemic stroke patient. PET imaging by using [18F]AlF-FAPI-42 offers a promising non-invasive method for monitoring the progression of cerebral fibrosis caused by ischemic stroke and may facilitate the clinical management of stroke patients. Trial registration: chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2200059004. Registered April 22, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Simin Peng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhikai Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ganghua Tang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhou Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Kongzhen Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Yuhua Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Tzitiridou P, Zoi V, Papagrigoriou T, Lazari D, Sioka C, Alexiou GA, Kyritsis AP. Antineoplastic Activity of 9″-Lithospermic Acid Methyl Ester in Glioblastoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2094. [PMID: 38396771 PMCID: PMC10889145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042094] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, many potent compounds have been found which are derived from plants and herbs and possess anticancer properties due to their antioxidant effects. 9″-Lithospermic acid methyl ester is an effective natural compound derived from the Thymus thracicus Velen. It has been proven that this compound has substantial properties in different diseases, but its effects in cancer have not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of 9″-Lithospermic acid methyl ester (9″-methyl lithospermate) in U87 and T98 glioblastoma cell lines. Its effects on cellular viability were assessed via Trypan Blue and Crystal Violet stains, the cell cycle analysis through flow cytometry, and cell migration by employing the scratch wound healing assay. The results demonstrated that 9″-methyl lithospermate was able to inhibit cellular proliferation, induce cellular death, and inhibit cell migration. Furthermore, these results were intensified by the addition of temozolomide, the most prominent chemotherapeutic drug in glioblastoma tumors. Further studies are needed to reproduce these findings in animal models and investigate if 9″-lithospermic acid methyl ester represents a potential new therapeutic addition for gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasiliki Zoi
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theodora Papagrigoriou
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Division of Pharmacognosy-Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Diamanto Lazari
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Division of Pharmacognosy-Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrissa Sioka
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgios A. Alexiou
- Neurosurgical Institute, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
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Zhou M, Wang K, Jin Y, Liu J, Wang Y, Xue Y, Liu H, Chen Q, Cao Z, Jia X, Rui Y. Explore novel molecular mechanisms of FNDC5 in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by analyzing transcriptome changes in mouse model of skeletal muscle I/R injury with FNDC5 knockout. Cell Signal 2024; 113:110959. [PMID: 37918465 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110959] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irisin, a myokine derived from proteolytic cleavage of the fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) protein, is crucial in protecting tissues and organs from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanism of its action remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns of genes associated with FNDC5 knockout to gain insights into its molecular functions. METHODS We employed a mouse model of skeletal muscle I/R injury with FNDC5 knockout to examine the transcriptional profiles using RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and subjected to further analyses, including gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and miRNA-transcription factor network analysis. The bioinformatics findings were validated using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS Comparative analysis of skeletal muscle transcriptomes between wild-type (WT; C57BL/6), WT-I/R, FNDC5 knockout (KO), and KO-I/R mice highlighted the significance of FNDC5 in both physiological conditions and I/R injury. Through PPI network analysis, we identified seven key genes (Col6a2, Acta2, Col4a5, Fap, Enpep, Mmp11, and Fosl1), which facilitated the construction of a TF-hub genes-miRNA regulatory network. Additionally, our results suggested that the PI3K-Akt pathway is predominantly involved in FNDC5 deletion-mediated I/R injury in skeletal muscle. Animal studies revealed reduced FNDC5 expression in skeletal muscle following I/R injury, and the gastrocnemius muscle with FNDC5 knockout exhibited larger infarct size and more severe tissue damage after I/R. Moreover, Western blot analysis confirmed the upregulation of Col6a2, Enpep, and Mmp11 protein levels following I/R, particularly in the KO-I/R group. Furthermore, FNDC5 deletion inhibited the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that FNDC5 deletion exacerbates skeletal muscle I/R injury, potentially involving the upregulation of Col6a2, Enpep, and Mmp11. Additionally, the findings suggest the involvement of the PI3K-Akt pathway in FNDC5 deletion-mediated skeletal muscle I/R injury, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying FNDC5's role in this pathological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhou
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China.
| | - Kai Wang
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Yesheng Jin
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Jinquan Liu
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Yapeng Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Qun Chen
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhihai Cao
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Emergency, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Xueyuan Jia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Yongjun Rui
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi 214000, China.
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Wang K, Zhou W, Jin X, Shang X, Wu X, Wen L, Li S, Hong Y, Ke J, Xu Y, Yuan H, Hu F. Enhanced brain delivery of hypoxia-sensitive liposomes by hydroxyurea for rescue therapy of hyperacute ischemic stroke. NANOSCALE 2023. [PMID: 37377137 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01071f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is characterized by high morbidity, disability, and mortality. Unfortunately, the only FDA-approved pharmacological thrombolytic, alteplase, has a narrow therapeutic window of only 4.5 h. Other drugs like neuroprotective agents have not been clinically used because of their low efficacy. To improve the efficacy of neuroprotective agents and the effectiveness of rescue therapies for hyperacute ischemic stroke, we investigated and verified the variation trends of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and regional cerebral blood flow over 24 h in rats that had ischemic strokes. Hypoperfusion and the biphasic increase of BBB permeability are still the main limiting factors for lesion-specific drug distribution and drug brain penetration. Herein, the nitric oxide donor hydroxyurea (HYD) was reported to downregulate the expression of tight junction proteins and upregulate intracellular nitric oxide content in the brain microvascular endothelial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation, which was shown to facilitate the transport of liposomes across brain endothelial monolayer in an in vitro model. HYD also increased the BBB permeability and promoted microcirculation in the hyperacute phase of stroke. The neutrophil-like cell-membrane-fusogenic hypoxia-sensitive liposomes exhibited excellent performance in targeting the inflamed brain microvascular endothelial cells, enhancing cell association, and promoting rapid hypoxic-responsive release in the hypoxic microenvironment. Overall, the combined HYD and hypoxia-sensitive liposome dosing regimen effectively decreased the cerebral infarction volume and relieved neurological dysfunction in rats that had ischemic strokes; these therapies were involved in the anti-oxidative stress effect and the neurotrophic effect mediated by macrophage migration inhibitory factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Wentao Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Xiangyu Jin
- Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Xuwei Shang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Lijuan Wen
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Hakka Medical Resources Branch, College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Sufen Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Yiling Hong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Jia Ke
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Yichong Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Hong Yuan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China
| | - Fuqiang Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, China
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