Britta Kaltwasser

Acute hepatocyte growth factor treatment induces long-term neuroprotection and stroke recovery via mechanisms involving neural precursor cell proliferation and differentiation

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is an interesting candidate for acute stroke treatment as shown by continuous infusion or gene delivery protocols. However, little is known about HGF-mediated long-term effects. The present study therefore analyzed long-term effects of an acute intrastriatal HGF treatment (5 μg) after a 45-minute stroke, with regard to brain injury and neurologic recovery. Hepatocyte growth factor induced long-term neuroprotection as assessed by infarct volume and neuronal cell death analysis for as long as 4 weeks after stroke, which was associated with sustained neurologic recovery as evidenced by corner-turn and tight-rope tests. Analyzing underlying mechanisms of HGF-induced sustained neuroprotection, enhanced cell proliferation followed by increased neuronal differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) was observed in the ischemic striatum of HGF-treated mice, which persisted for up to 4 weeks. In line with this, HGF promoted neurosphere formation as well as proliferation of NPC and decreased caspase-3-dependent hypoxic injury in vitro. Preservation of blood—brain barrier integrity 24 hours after stroke was furthermore noticed in animals receiving HGF, which was associated with the inhibition of matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 at 4 and 24 hours, respectively. We suggest that sustained recruitment of proliferating cells together with improved neurovascular remodeling provides an explanation for HGF-induced long-term neuroprotection.

The novel proteasome inhibitor BSc2118 protects against cerebral ischaemia through HIF1A accumulation and enhanced angioneurogenesis

Only a minority of stroke patients receive thrombolytic therapy. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies focusing on neuroprotection are under review, among which, inhibition of the proteasome is attractive, as it affects multiple cellular pathways. As proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib have severe side effects, we applied the novel proteasome inhibitor BSc2118, which is putatively better tolerated, and analysed its therapeutic potential in a mouse model of cerebral ischaemia. Stroke was induced in male C57BL/6 mice using the intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion model. BSc2118 was intrastriatally injected 12 h post-stroke in mice that had received normal saline or recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator injections during early reperfusion. Brain injury, behavioural tests, western blotting, MMP9 zymography and analysis of angioneurogenesis were performed for up to 3 months post-stroke. Single injections of BSc2118 induced long-term neuroprotection, reduced functional impairment, stabilized blood-brain barrier through decreased MMP9 activity and enhanced angioneurogenesis when given no later than 12 h post-stroke. On the contrary, recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator enhanced brain injury, which was reversed by BSc2118. Protein expression of the transcription factor HIF1A was significantly increased in saline-treated and recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator-treated mice after BSc2118 application. In contrast, knock-down of HIF1A using small interfering RNA constructs or application of the HIF1A inhibitor YC1 (now known as RNA-binding motif, single-stranded-interacting protein 1 (RBMS1)) reversed BSc2118-induced neuroprotection. Noteworthy, loss of neuroprotection after combined treatment with BSc2118 and YC1 in recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator-treated animals was in the same order as in saline-treated mice, i.e. reduction of recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator toxicity through BSc2118 did not solely depend on HIF1A. Thus, the proteasome inhibitor BSc2118 is a promising new candidate for stroke therapy, which may in addition alleviate recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator-induced brain toxicity.

Comparative methylation profiles and telomerase biology of mouse multipotent adult germline stem cells and embryonic stem cells

Recently, several groups described the isolation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and their potential to develop to embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like cells, so-called multipotent germline stem cells (mGSCs). We were the first to derive such mGSCs from SSCs isolated from adult mouse testis and, therefore, called these mGSCs multipotent adult germline stem cells (maGSCs). Here, we comparatively analyzed gene-specific and global DNA methylation profiles as well as the telomerase biology of several maGSC and male ESC lines. We show that undifferentiated maGSCs are very similar to undifferentiated male ESCs with regard to global DNA methylation, methylation of pluripotency marker gene loci, telomerase activity and telomere length. Imprinted gene methylation levels were generally lower in undifferentiated maGSCs than in undifferentiated male ESCs, but, compared with undifferentiated mGSCs derived by other groups, more similar to those of male ESCs. Differentiation of maGSCs increased the methylation of three of the four analyzed imprinted genes to almost somatic methylation patterns, but dramatically decreased global DNA methylation. Our findings further substantiate the pluripotency of maGSCs and their potential for regenerative medicine.

Effects of neural progenitor cells on post-stroke neurological impairment—a detailed and comprehensive analysis of behavioral tests

Systemic transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in rodents reduces functional impairment after cerebral ischemia. In light of upcoming stroke trials regarding safety and feasibility of NPC transplantation, experimental studies have to successfully analyze the extent of NPC-induced neurorestoration on the functional level. However, appropriate behavioral tests for analysis of post-stroke motor coordination deficits and cognitive impairment after NPC grafting are not fully established. We therefore exposed male C57BL6 mice to either 45 min (mild) or 90 min (severe) of cerebral ischemia, using the thread occlusion model followed by intravenous injection of PBS or NPCs 6 h post-stroke with an observation period of three months. Post-stroke motor coordination was assessed by means of the rota rod, tight rope, corner turn, inclined plane, grip strength, foot fault, adhesive removal, pole test and balance beam test, whereas cognitive impairment was analyzed using the water maze, the open field and the passive avoidance test. Significant motor coordination differences after both mild and severe cerebral ischemia in favor of NPC-treated mice were observed for each motor coordination test except for the inclined plane and the grip strength test, which only showed significant differences after severe cerebral ischemia. Cognitive impairment after mild cerebral ischemia was successfully assessed using the water maze test, the open field and the passive avoidance test. On the contrary, the water maze test was not suitable in the severe cerebral ischemia paradigm, as it too much depends on motor coordination capabilities of test mice. In terms of both reliability and cost-effectiveness considerations, we thus recommend the corner turn, foot fault, balance beam, and open field test, which do not depend on durations of cerebral ischemia.

TAT-Hsp70 induces neuroprotection against stroke via anti-inflammatory actions providing appropriate cellular microenvironment for transplantation of neural precursor cells.

Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protects against cerebral ischemia, which is attributed to its chaperone activity. However, recent reports also describe pro-inflammatory actions of Hsp70 via activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR). Using membrane-permeable transactivator of transcription (TAT)-Hsp70, we analyzed TAT-Hsp70-induced neuroprotection and its underlying mechanism after cerebral ischemia in mice. Infusion of TAT-Hsp70 reduced infarct volume and enhanced blood–brain barrier integrity on day 3 poststroke, when given no later than 12 hours. The latter was associated with reduction of microglial activation, although upregulation of pro-inflammatory TLR-2/4 was observed both in verum and in control animals. Nevertheless, protein abundance and nuclear translocation of downstream nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as proteasomal degradation of the NF-κB regulator Ikappa B alpha (IκB-α) were significantly reduced by TAT-Hsp70. TAT-Hsp70-induced neuroprotection and functional recovery were restricted to 4 weeks only. However, TAT-Hsp70 provided an appropriate extracellular milieu for delayed intravenous transplantation of adult neural precursor cells (NPCs). Thus, NPCs that were grafted 28 days poststroke induced long-term neuroprotection for at least 3 months, which was not due to integration of grafted cells but rather due to paracrine effects of transplanted NPCs. Conclusively, TAT-Hsp70 ameliorates postischemic inflammation via proteasome inhibition, thus providing an appropriate extracellular milieu for delayed NPC transplantation and culminating in long-term neuroprotection.

Cellular prion protein promotes post-ischemic neuronal survival, angioneurogenesis and enhances neural progenitor cell homing via proteasome inhibition

Although cellular prion protein (PrPc) has been suggested to have physiological roles in neurogenesis and angiogenesis, the pathophysiological relevance of both processes remain unknown. To elucidate the role of PrPc in post-ischemic brain remodeling, we herein exposed PrPc wild type (WT), PrPc knockout (PrP−/−) and PrPc overexpressing (PrP+/+) mice to focal cerebral ischemia followed by up to 28 days reperfusion. Improved neurological recovery and sustained neuroprotection lasting over the observation period of 4 weeks were observed in ischemic PrP+/+ mice compared with WT mice. This observation was associated with increased neurogenesis and angiogenesis, whereas increased neurological deficits and brain injury were noted in ischemic PrP−/− mice. Proteasome activity and oxidative stress were increased in ischemic brain tissue of PrP−/− mice. Pharmacological proteasome inhibition reversed the exacerbation of brain injury induced by PrP−/−, indicating that proteasome inhibition mediates the neuroprotective effects of PrPc. Notably, reduced proteasome activity and oxidative stress in ischemic brain tissue of PrP+/+ mice were associated with an increased abundance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and PACAP-38, which are known stimulants of neural progenitor cell (NPC) migration and trafficking. To elucidate effects of PrPc on intracerebral NPC homing, we intravenously infused GFP+ NPCs in ischemic WT, PrP−/− and PrP+/+ mice, showing that brain accumulation of GFP+ NPCs was greatly reduced in PrP−/− mice, but increased in PrP+/+ animals. Our results suggest that PrPc induces post-ischemic long-term neuroprotection, neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the ischemic brain by inhibiting proteasome activity.

Effects of acute versus post-acute systemic delivery of neural progenitor cells on neurological recovery and brain remodeling after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Intravenous transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) induces functional recovery after stroke, albeit grafted cells are not integrated into residing neural networks. However, a systematic analysis of intravenous NPC delivery at acute and post-acute time points and their long-term consequences does not exist. Male C57BL6 mice were exposed to cerebral ischemia, and NPCs were intravenously grafted on day 0, on day 1 or on day 28. Animals were allowed to survive for up to 84 days. Mice and tissues were used for immunohistochemical analysis, flow cytometry, ELISA and behavioral tests. Density of grafted NPCs within the ischemic hemisphere was increased when cells were transplanted on day 28 as compared with transplantation on days 0 or 1. Likewise, transplantation on day 28 yielded enhanced neuronal differentiation rates of grafted cells. Post-ischemic brain injury, however, was only reduced when NPCs were grafted at acute time points. On the contrary, reduced post-ischemic functional deficits due to NPC delivery were independent of transplantation paradigms. NPC-induced neuroprotection after acute cell delivery was due to stabilization of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), reduction in microglial activation and modulation of both peripheral and central immune responses. On the other hand, post-acute NPC transplantation stimulated post-ischemic regeneration via enhanced angioneurogenesis and increased axonal plasticity. Acute NPC delivery yields long-term neuroprotection via enhanced BBB integrity and modulation of post-ischemic immune responses, whereas post-acute NPC delivery increases post-ischemic angioneurogenesis and axonal plasticity. Post-ischemic functional recovery, however, is independent of NPC delivery timing, which offers a broad therapeutic time window for stroke treatment.

Sustained neurological recovery induced by resveratrol is associated with angioneurogenesis rather than neuroprotection after focal cerebral ischemia

According to the French paradox, red wine consumption reduces the incidence of vascular diseases even in the presence of highly saturated fatty acid intake. This phenomenon is widely attributed to the phytoalexin resveratrol, a red wine ingredient. Experimental studies suggesting that resveratrol has neuroprotective properties mostly used prophylactic delivery strategies associated with short observation periods. These studies did not allow conclusions to be made about resveratrols therapeutic efficacy post-stroke. Herein, we systematically analyzed effects of prophylactic, acute and post-acute delivery of resveratrol (50mg/kg) on neurological recovery, tissue survival, and angioneurogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Over an observation period of four weeks, only prolonged post-acute resveratrol delivery induced sustained neurological recovery as assessed by rota rod, tight rope and corner turn tests. Although prophylactic and acute resveratrol delivery reduced infarct volume and enhanced blood-brain-barrier integrity at 2 days post-ischemia by elevating resveratrols downstream signal sirtuin-1, increasing cell survival signals (phosphorylated Akt, heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-2) and decreasing cell death signals (Bax, activated caspase-3), a sustained reduction of infarct size on day 28 was not observed in any of the three experimental conditions. Instead, enhanced angiogenesis and neurogenesis were noted in animals receiving post-acute resveratrol delivery, which were associated with elevated concentrations of GDNF and VEGF in the brain. Thus, sustained neurological recovery induced by resveratrol depends on successful brain remodeling rather than structural neuroprotection. The recovery promoting effect of delayed resveratrol delivery opens promising perspectives for stroke therapy.

Post-stroke transplantation of adult subventricular zone derived neural progenitor cells--A comprehensive analysis of cell delivery routes and their underlying mechanisms.

With neuroprotective approaches having failed until recently, current focus on experimental stroke research has switched towards manipulation of post-ischemic neuroregeneration. Transplantation of subventricular zone (SVZ) derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is a promising strategy for promotion of neurological recovery. Yet, fundamental questions including the optimal cell delivery route still have to be addressed. Consequently, male C57BL6 mice were exposed to transient focal cerebral ischemia and allowed to survive for as long as 84 days post-stroke. At 6h post-stroke, NPCs were grafted using six different cell delivery routes, i.e., intravenous, intraarterial, ipsilateral intrastriatal, contralateral intrastriatal, ipsilateral intraventricular and ipsilateral intracortical injection. Control mice received PBS only using the aforementioned delivery routes. Intralesional numbers of GFP(+) NPCs were high only after ipsilateral intrastriatal transplantation, whereas other injection paradigms only yielded comparatively small numbers of grafted cells. However, acute neuroprotection and improved functional outcome were observed after both systemic (i.e., intraarterial and intravenous) and ipsilateral intrastriatal transplantation only. Whereas systemic cell delivery induced acute and long-term neuroprotection, reduction of brain injury after ipsilateral intrastriatal cell grafting was only temporary, in line with the loss of transplanted NPCs in the brain. Both systemic and ipsilateral intrastriatal NPC delivery reduced microglial activation and leukocyte invasion, thus reducing free radical formation within the ischemic brain. On the contrary, only systemic NPC administration stabilized the blood-brain-barrier and reduced leukocytosis in the blood. Although intraarterial NPC transplantation was as effective as intravenous cell grafting, mortality of stroke mice was high using the intraarterial delivery route. Consequently, intravenous delivery of native NPCs in our experimental model is an attractive and effective strategy for stroke therapy that deserves further proof-of-concept studies.

Lithium-induced neuroprotection in stroke involves increased miR-124 expression, reduced RE1-silencing transcription factor abundance and decreased protein deubiquitination by GSK3β inhibition-independent pathways.

Lithium promotes acute poststroke neuronal survival, which includes mechanisms that are not limited to GSK3β inhibition. However, whether lithium induces long-term neuroprotection and enhanced brain remodeling is unclear. Therefore, mice were exposed to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and lithium (1 mg/kg bolus followed by 2 mg/kg/day over up to 7 days) was intraperitoneally administered starting 0–9 h after reperfusion onset. Delivery of lithium no later than 6 h reduced infarct volume on day 2 and decreased brain edema, leukocyte infiltration, and microglial activation, as shown by histochemistry and flow cytometry. Lithium-induced neuroprotection persisted throughout the observation period of 56 days and was associated with enhanced neurological recovery. Poststroke angioneurogenesis and axonal plasticity were also enhanced by lithium. On the molecular level, lithium increased miR-124 expression, reduced RE1-silencing transcription factor abundance, and decreased protein deubiquitination in cultivated cortical neurons exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation and in brains of mice exposed to cerebral ischemia. Notably, this effect was not mimicked by pharmacological GSK3β inhibition. This study for the first time provides efficacy data for lithium in the postacute ischemic phase, reporting a novel mechanism of action, i.e. increased miR-124 expression facilitating REST degradation by which lithium promotes postischemic neuroplasticity and angiogenesis.