AIM2 deletion enhances blood‐brain barrier integrity in experimental ischemic stroke. (22nd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Si‐yi; Bian, Hui‐jie; Shu, Shu; Xia, Sheng‐nan; Gu, Yue; Zhang, Mei‐juan; Xu, Yun; Cao, Xiang
• Is Part Of: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics. Volume 27:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1224
• Page End: 1237
• Publication Date: 2021-06-22
• Subjects: AIM2 -- blood‐brain barrier -- endothelial cells -- ischemic stroke -- STAT3; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/cns.13699
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-5930

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: Ischemic stroke is a life‐threatening disease with limited therapeutic strategies. Blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a critical pathological process that contributes to poor outcomes in ischemic stroke. We previously showed that the microglial inhibition of the inflammasome sensor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) suppressed the inflammatory response and protected against ischemic stroke. However, whether AIM2 is involved in BBB disruption during cerebral ischemia is unknown. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were used to mimic cerebral ischemia in mice and brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), respectively. The infarct volume, neurological deficits, and BBB permeability were measured in mice after MCAO. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and neutrophil adhesion to the HBMEC monolayer were assessed after OGD/R treatment. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to evaluate the expression of related proteins. Results: AIM2 was shown to be expressed in brain endothelial cells and upregulated after ischemic stroke in the mouse brain. AIM2 deletion reduced the infarct volume, improved neurological and motor functions, and decreased BBB disruption. In vitro, OGD/R significantly increased the protein levels of AIM2 and ICAM‐1 and decreased those of the tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO‐1 and occludin. AIM2 knockdown effectively protected BBB integrity by promoting the expression of TJ proteins and decreasing ICAM‐1 expression and neutrophil adhesion. Mechanistically, AIM2 knockdown reversed the OGD/R‐induced increases in ICAM‐1 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation in brain endothelial cells. Furthermore, treatment with the p‐STAT3 inhibitor AG490 mitigated the effect of AIM2 on BBB breakdown. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that inhibiting AIM2 preserved the BBB integrity after ischemic stroke, at least partially by modulating STAT3 activation and that AIM2 may be a promising therapeutic target for cerebral ischemic stroke. Abstract : AIM2 deletion in brain endothelial cells reversed ischemia‐induced BBB injury by suppressing ICAM‐1 expression and neutrophil adhesion in a STAT3 signaling‐ dependent manner.