Neuroprotective effects of lentivirus‐mediated aquaporin‐4 gene silencing in rat model of traumatic brain injury. (3rd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Bo; Wei, Meiping; Wan, Xiangdong; Chen, Zeshang; Liu, Minghao; Fan, Zhenzeng; Yang, Lijun
• Is Part Of: Neurological research. Volume 44:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 692
• Page End: 699
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03
• Subjects: Aquaporin-4 -- shRNA -- rat -- traumatic brain injury; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2022.2039509
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-6412

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common clinical condition caused by external force. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in astrocytes participates in the generation of cell swelling in TBI. Methods: This research explored the effect of AQP4 gene silencing in a TBI rat model. A hydraulic craniocerebral trauma instrument was employed for establishing the TBI rat model. AQP4 expression in the brain was inhibited by the injection of AQP4 shRNA-lentiviral vector. The expression of relative genes was evaluated by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Neuronal apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL assay. Results: AQP4 shRNA treatment inhibited AQP4 expression in the brain of rats with TBI. AQP4 shRNA alleviated TBI-induced brain edema and neurological deficit in rats. Neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte activation in TBI rats were reduced by AQP4 silencing. Conclusion: This research demonstrated that AQP4 shRNA-induced silencing of AQP4 in the TBI rat model reduced the expression of AQP4 and GFAP, alleviated brain edema, neurological deficit, neuronal apoptosis and inhibited astrocyte activation.