Large Vessel Vasospasm Is Not Associated with Cerebral Cortical Hypoperfusion in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Alterations of oscillatory activity and cognitive function after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) can lead to cognitive impairment (CI), but underlying neural mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To predict long-term CI after aSAH, resting electroencephalography (EEG) was measured in 112 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of aSAH ( n = 66) or unruptured intracranial aneurysms (controls) ( n = 46). A neuropsychological battery was administered 8-24 months after discharge.

RESULTS

Power spectrum analysis in the parietal-occipital lobe showed significantly higher power theta vs. alpha oscillations in patients with CI after aSAH. The power of theta and alpha oscillations were significantly correlated with multiple cognitive scale scores on the neuropsychological battery. A neural model was established, which showed that connectivity between inhibitory and excitatory neurons in neural circuits contributed to changes in theta and alpha oscillations and CI in aSAH.

CONCLUSION

The data collection, analysis, and computational model established in this study can serve as a new paradigm for other clinical studies investigating CI.

Multimodal assessment predicts cognitive impairment after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Risk factors and mechanisms of cognitive impairment (CI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are unclear. This study used a neuropsychological battery, MRI, ERP and CSF and plasma biomarkers to predict long-term cognitive impairment after aSAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

214 patients hospitalized with aSAH (n = 125) or unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) (n = 89) were included in this prospective cohort study. Neuropsychological tests were administered 7 to 24 months post-discharge. MRI, ERP, and CSF and plasma biomarkers were used to predict long-term CI, and area under ROC curves were calculated.

RESULTS

Patients with aSAH CI showed significant impairment across composite scores and cognitive domains on the neuropsychological battery vs. patients with aSAH No CI. On ALFF (MRI), the right medial orbitofrontal cortex (AUC = 0.78), right inferior frontal gyrus (AUC = 0.848), and right inferior parietal lobule (AUC = 0.868) distinguished aSAH CI from aSAH No CI. For ERP, consistent changes were found across specific EEG electrodes (FP1, F3, CP1, FP2, F4, CP2), including increased PA, prolonged PL and decreased ITPC. ITPC showed the highest sensitivity for distinguishing aSAH CI from aSAH No CI, followed by PA. Channel F4 (ITPC, AUC = 0.912, PA, AUC = 0.846), corresponding to the right inferior frontal gyrus, was the most sensitive for detecting CI, followed by channel CP2 (ITPC, AUC = 0.903, PA, AUC = 0.806), corresponding to the right inferior parietal lobule. CSF (Aβ42, Aβ40, p-tau181/Aβ42, p-tau181/total-tau, total-tau) and plasma biomarkers (Aβ-40, p-tau181) were significantly associated with long-term CI.

CONCLUSION

ALFF, ERP, and CSF and plasma Aβ and tau levels and ratios have clinical utility for evaluating and predicting long-term cognitive impairment following aSAH. MRI may reveal the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment following aSAH. ERP can be administered at the bedside offering sensitive, non-invasive, repeatable, and sustainable monitoring, which is particularly suitable for immobile coma patients. ERP may represent a promising method to monitor neural function and its outcomes.

Transcription factor EB (TFEB) promotes autophagy in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has high mortality. Early brain injury (EBI) is responsible for unfavorable outcomes for patients with SAH. The protective involvement of autophagy in hemorrhagic stroke has been proposed. The transcription factor EB (TFEB) can increase autophagic flux by promoting autophagosome formation and autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and dysregulation of TFEB activity might induce the development of several diseases. However, the biological functions of TFEB in EBI after SAH remain unknown. We established an animal model of SAH by the modified endovascular perforation method. Expression of TFEB and autophagy required genes was measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. SAH grading, brain water content and neurobehavioral functions were evaluated at 24 h post-SAH. Neuronal apoptosis in cerebral cortex was assessed by TUNEL staining and Fluoro Jade B staining. TFEB was downregulated in SAH rats, and its overexpression reduced brain edema and ameliorated neurological deficits of SAH rats. Additionally, the neuronal apoptosis induced by SAH was inhibited by TFEB overexpression. Moreover, TFEB overexpression promoted autophagy after SAH. TFEB overexpression promotes autophagy to inhibit neuronal apoptosis, brain edema and neurological deficits post-SAH.

Incidence and Factors in Delayed Neurological Deficits after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice

Background

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is one of the most feared complications in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Animal models are crucial to studying the disease mechanisms and potential treatments. DCI in rodents was thought to not exist; herein we examine literature and our experience with DCI in rodents.

Methods

Daily behavioral performance was assessed every day from day 1 to up to 7 days post-SAH on mice from 5 different studies that used the endovascular perforation model. Performance was graded using an 8-test sensorimotor neuroscore previously described. The daily neuroscore was then used to identify the incidence and timing of delayed neurological deficits, a clinical surrogate for DCI. A total number of 298 mice (134 males, 164 females) were subjected to SAH. Fifty-one mice had histological staining done to identify infarct volume.

Results

The overall incidence of DND was 33.9%; 27.6% in males and 39.0% in females, but this difference was not statistically significant. The overall incidence of delayed death was 21.1%, and there was no significant difference for delayed mortality in females versus male mice. There is a non-statistically significant trend towards increased infarct volume in mice suffering DND.

Conclusions

Mice with endovascular puncture induced SAH develop DND at rates comparable to human patients. Future work needs to correlate the DND seen with decreased regional cerebral blood flow, another hallmark of DCI, but in spite of this need, researchers may use the murine models to test therapies for DCI after SAH.

The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Early Microthrombosis and Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice

Microthrombosis plays an important role in secondary brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but the specific mechanism of microthrombosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in microthrombosis after SAH. SAH was induced in male C57BL/6 mice using an endovascular perforation technique. The marker protein of NETs, citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), was significantly elevated in the cerebral cortex after SAH, and was co-labeled with microthrombi. Both depletion of neutrophils by anti-Ly6G antibody and DNase I treatment significantly reduced the formation of NETs and microthrombi, and ameliorated neurological deficits, brain edema, BBB disruption, and neuronal injury at 24 h after SAH induction. Cerebral hypoperfusion in the first hours after SAH is a major determinant of poor neurological outcome; in this study, we found that DNase I treatment significantly improved the restoration of early cortical perfusion after SAH. In addition, DNase I treatment also significantly attenuated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow after SAH, which was associated with the diffusion barrier caused by microthrombi in the paravascular space after SAH. In conclusion, NETs are associated with early microthrombosis after SAH; they may be a novel therapeutic target for early brain injury (EBI) after SAH.

DSA-Based 2D Perfusion Measurements in Delayed Cerebral Ischemia to Estimate the Clinical Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Technical Feasibility Study

(1) Background: To predict clinical outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) by assessment of the cerebral perfusion using a 2D perfusion angiography (2DPA) time-contrast agent (CA) concentration model. (2) Methods: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) data sets of n = 26 subjects were acquired and post-processed focusing on changes in contrast density using a time-concentration model at three time points: (i) initial presentation with SAH (T0); (ii) vasospasm-associated acute clinical impairment (T1); and (iii) directly after endovascular treatment (T2) of SAH-associated large vessel vasospasm (LVV), which resulted in n = 78 data sets. Maximum slope (MS in SI/ms), time-to-peak (TTP in ms), and maximum amplitude of a CA bolus (dSI) were measured in brain parenchyma using regions of interest (ROIs). First, acquired parameters were standardized to the arterial input function (AIF) and then statistically analyzed as mean values. Additionally, data were clustered into two subsets consisting of patients with regredient or with stable/progredient symptoms (or Doppler signals) after endovascular treatment (n = 10 vs. n = 16). (3) Results: Perfusion parameters (MS, TTP, and dSI) differed significantly between T0 and T1 (p = 0.003 each). Significant changes between T1 and T2 were only detectable for MS (0.041 ± 0.016 vs. 0.059 ± 0.026; p = 0.011) in patients with regredient symptoms at T2 (0.04 ± 0.012 vs. 0.066 ± 0.031; p = 0.004). For dSI, there were significant differences between T0 and T2 (5095.8 ± 2541.9 vs. 3012.3 ± 968.3; p = 0.001), especially for those with stable symptoms at T2 (5685.4 ± 2967.2 vs. 3102.8 ± 1033.2; p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that a) the difference in MS between T1 and T2 and b) patient's age (R = 0.6; R² = 0.34; p = 0.009) strongly predict the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge. (4) Conclusions: 2DPA allows the direct measurement of treatment effects in SAH associated DCI and may be used to predict outcomes in these critically ill patients.

Early DNase-I therapy delays secondary brain damage after traumatic brain injury in adult mice

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes the release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) from damaged or dead cells, which contribute to secondary brain damage after TBI. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a DAMP known to cause disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), promote procoagulant processes, brain edema, and neuroinflammation. This study tested the hypothesis that administration of deoxyribonuclease-I (DNase-I) has a beneficial effect after TBI. Mice (n = 84) were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) and posttraumatic intraperitoneal injections of low dose (LD) or high dose (HD) of DNase-I or vehicle solution at 30 min and 12 h after CCI. LD was most effective to reduce lesion volume (p = 0.003), brain water content (p < 0.0001) and to stabilize BBB integrity (p = 0.019) 1 day post-injury (dpi). At 6 h post injury LD-treated animals showed less cleavage of fibrin (p = 0.0014), and enhanced perfusion as assessed by micro-computer-tomography (p = 0.027). At 5 dpi the number of Iba1-positive cells (p = 0.037) were reduced, but the number of CD45-positive cells, motoric function and brain lesion volume was not different. Posttraumatic-treatment with DNase-I therefore stabilizes the BBB, reduces the formation of brain edema, immune response, and delays secondary brain damage. DNase-I might be a new approach to extend the treatment window after TBI.

Influence of traumatic brain injury on ipsilateral and contralateral cortical perfusion in mice

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most important causes of death in young adults. After brain injury cortical perfusion is impaired by cortical spreading depression, cerebral microvasospasm or microvascular thrombosis and contributes to secondary expansion of lesion into surrounding healthy brain tissue. The present study was designed to determine the regional cortical perfusion pattern after experimental TBI induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) in male C57/BL6N mice. We performed a longitudinal time series analysis by Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). Measurements were carried out before, immediately and 24 h after trauma. Immediately after CCI cortical perfusion in the lesion core dropped to 10 % of before injury (baseline; %BL) and to 21-24 %BL in the cortical area surrounding the core. Interestingly, cortical perfusion was also significantly reduced in the contralateral non-injured hemisphere (41-58 %BL) matching the corresponding brain region of the injured hemisphere. 24 h after CCI perfusion of the contralateral hemisphere returned to baseline level in the area corresponding to the lesion core, whereas the lateral area of the parietal cortex was hyperperfused (125 %BL). The lesion core region itself remained severely hypoperfused (18 to 26 %BL) during the observation period. TBI causes a maldistribution of both ipsi- and contralateral cerebral perfusion immediately after trauma, which persist for at least 24 h. Higher perfusion levels in the lesion core 24 h after trauma were associated with increased tissue damage, which supports the role of reperfusion injury for secondary brain damage after TBI.

Influence of neurovascular anatomy on perforation site in different mouse strains using the filament perforation model for induction of subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Filament perforation is a widely-used method to induce subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in mice. Whereas the perforation site has been assumed to be in the branching of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA), we recently observed more proximal perforations.

METHODS

Filament perforation was performed in CD1- (n = 10) and C57Bl/6N-mice (n = 9) ex vivo. The filament was left in place and the perforation site was microscopically assessed. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in CD1- (n = 9) and C57Bl/6J-mice (n = 29) and anatomical differences of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were determined.

RESULTS

Whereas in C57Bl/6N-mice perforation occurred in the proximal intracranial ICA in 89% (n = 8), in CD1-mice the perforation site was in the proximal ICA in 50% (n = 5), in the branching between MCA and ACA in 40% (n = 4), and in the proximal ACA in 10% (n = 1). DSA revealed a stronger angulation (p<0.001) of the ICA in CD1-mice (163.5±2.81°) compared to C57Bl/6J-mice (124.5±5.49°). Body weight and ICA-angle showed no significant correlation in C57Bl/6J- (r = -0.06, pweight/angle = 0.757) and CD1-mice (r = -0.468, pweight/angle = 0.242).

CONCLUSION

Filament perforation in mice occurs not only at the hitherto presumed branching between MCA and ACA, but seems to depend on mouse strain and anatomy as the proximal intracranial ICA may also be perforated frequently.

Confirming Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Induction in the Endovascular Puncture Mouse Model

Background and Purpose

Experimental studies of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) using the endovascular perforation model routinely use either cerebral blood flow (CBF) or intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring to confirm SAH induction. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that contralateral CBF is a better marker of SAH induction than ipsilateral CBF.

Methods

Sixty-eight adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to endovascular perforation. Mice were monitored using laser Doppler (for relative CBF) or ICP probes.

Results

The ipsilateral CBF significantly decreased prior to ICP rising. However, reduction of the CBF in the contralateral hemisphere occurred at the same time as the rise in ICP. When CBF is monitored on both hemispheres simultaneously, the drop in ipsilateral CBF precedes the drop in the contralateral CBF.

Conclusions

The most suitable method for confirming puncture and induction of SAH in the endovascular mouse model is by ICP. Monitoring the CBF of the contralateral hemisphere is also able to detect the moment of SAH induction. However, monitoring the ipsilateral CBF is not satisfactory for determining puncture and induction of SAH due to the changes in CBF caused by blood flow occlusion from the endovascular filament as it enters into the circle of Willis.

The role of autophagy and apoptosis in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage: an updated review

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a worldwide devastating type of stroke with high mortality and morbidity. Accumulating evidence show early brain injury (EBI) as the leading cause of mortality after SAH. The pathological processes involved in EBI include decreased cerebral blood flow, increased intracranial pressure, vasospasm, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. In addition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy have also been proposed to contribute to EBI. Among the various processes involved in EBI, neuronal apoptosis has been proven to be a key factor contributing to the poor prognosis of SAH patients. Meanwhile, as another important catabolic process maintaining the cellular and tissue homeostasis, autophagy has been shown to be neuroprotective after SAH. Studies have shown that enhancing autophagy reduced apoptosis, whereas inhibiting autophagy aggravate neuronal apoptosis after SAH. The physiological substrates and mechanisms of neuronal autophagy and apoptosis by which defects in neuronal function are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of autophagy and apoptosis after SAH and contribute to further study for investigation of the means to control the balance between them.

Continuous Intraarterial Nimodipine Infusion for the Treatment of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Trial

Background

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) occurs after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Continuous intraarterial nimodipine infusion (CIAN) is a promising approach in patients with intracranial large vessel vasospasm (LVV). The objective of this retrospective single-center cohort study was to evaluate the outcome in aSAH-patients treated with CIAN.

Methods

CIAN was initiated and ended based on the clinical evaluation and transcranial Doppler (TCD), CT-angiography, CT-perfusion (PCT), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Nimodipine (0.5–2.0 mg/h) was administered continuously through microcatheters placed in the extracranial internal carotid and/or vertebral artery. Primary outcome measures were Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and within 1 year after aSAH, and the occurrence of minor and major (<⅓ and >⅓ of LVV-affected territory) DCI-related infarctions in subsequent CT/MRI-scans. Secondary outcome measures were CIAN-associated complications.

Results

A total of 17 patients underwent CIAN. Median onset of CIAN was 9 (3–13) days after aSAH, median duration was 5 (1–13) days. A favorable outcome (GOS 4–5) was achieved in 9 patients (53%) at discharge and in 13 patients within 1 year (76%). One patient died of posthemorrhagic cerebral edema. Minor cerebral infarctions occurred in five and major infarctions in three patients. One patient developed cerebral edema possibly due to CIAN. Normalization of PCT-parameters within 2 days was observed in 9/17 patients. Six patients showed clinical response and thus did not require PCT imaging.

Conclusion

The favorable outcome in 76% of patients after 1 year is in line with previous studies. CIAN thus may be used to treat patients with severe therapy-refractory DCI.

Correlation of cardiac function and cerebral perfusion in a murine model of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Cerebral hypoperfusion is a key factor for determining the outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A subset of SAH patients develop neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy (NSC), but it is unclear to what extent cerebral hypoperfusion is influenced by cardiac dysfunction after SAH. The aims of this study were to examine the association between cardiac function and cerebral perfusion in a murine model of SAH and to identify electrocardiographic and echocardiographic signs indicative of NSC. We quantified cortical perfusion by laser SPECKLE contrast imaging, and myocardial function by serial high-frequency ultrasound imaging, for up to 7 days after experimental SAH induction in mice by endovascular filament perforation. Cortical perfusion decreased significantly whereas cardiac output and left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly shortly post-SAH. Transient pathological ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities, indicating NSC (right bundle branch block, reduced left ventricular contractility), were observed up to 3 h post-SAH in a subset of model animals. Cerebral perfusion improved over time after SAH and correlated significantly with left ventricular end-diastolic volume at 3, 24, and 72 h. The murine SAH model is appropriate to experimentally investigate NSC. We conclude that in addition to cerebrovascular dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction may significantly influence cerebral perfusion, with LVEDV presenting a potential parameter for risk stratification.

Neurobehavioral Deficits After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice: Sensitivity Analysis and Development of a New Composite Score

Background

Because of the failure of numerous clinical trials, various recommendations have been made to improve the usefulness of preclinical studies. Specifically, the STAIR (Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable) recommendations highlighted functional outcome as a critical measure. Recent reviews of experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) studies have brought to light the numerous neurobehavioral scoring systems that are used in preclinical SAH studies. To gain insight into the utility of these scoring systems, as well as to identify a scoring system that best captures the deficits caused by SAH in mice, we designed the current study.

Methods and Results

Adult male C57BL/6J mice were used. One cohort of mice was randomly allocated to either sham or SAH and had functional testing performed on days 1 to 3 post‐SAH using the modified Bederson Score, Katz Score, Garcia Neuroscore, and Parra Neuroscore, as well as 21 individual subtests. A new composite neuroscore was developed using the 8 most diagnostically accurate subtests. To validate the use of the developed composite neuroscore, another cohort of mice was randomly assigned to either the sham or SAH group and neurobehavior was evaluated on days 1 to 3, 5, and 7 after injury. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of each scoring system, as well as the subtests. Of the 4 published scoring systems, the Parra Neuroscore was diagnostically accurate for SAH injury in mice versus the modified Bederson and Katz Scores, but not the Garcia Neuroscore. However, the newly developed composite neuroscore was found to be statistically more diagnostically accurate than even the Parra Neuroscore.

Conclusions

The findings of this study promote use of the newly developed composite neuroscore for experimental SAH studies in mice.

Automated Grading of Cerebral Vasospasm to Standardize Computed Tomography Angiography Examinations After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is frequently used with computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTP) to evaluate whether endovascular vasospasm treatment is indicated for subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral ischemia. However, objective parameters for CTA evaluation are lacking. In this study, we used an automated, investigator-independent, digital method to detect vasospasm, and we evaluated whether the method could predict the need for subsequent endovascular vasospasm treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and analyzed imaging data for 40 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages. The cerebrovascular trees were digitally reconstructed from CTA data, and vessel volume and the length of the arteries of the circle of Willis and their peripheral branches were determined. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis based on a comparison with digital subtraction angiographies was used to determine volumetric thresholds that indicated severe vasospasm for each vessel segment. Results: The automated threshold-based volumetric evaluation of CTA data was able to detect severe vasospasm with high sensitivity and negative predictive value for predicting cerebral hypoperfusion on CTP, although the specificity and positive predictive value were low. Combining the automated detection of vasospasm on CTA and cerebral hypoperfusion on CTP was superior to CTP or CTA alone in predicting endovascular vasospasm treatment within 24 h after the examination. Conclusions: This digital volumetric analysis of the cerebrovascular tree allowed the objective, investigator-independent detection and quantification of vasospasms. This method could be used to standardize diagnostics and the selection of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral ischemia for endovascular diagnostics and possible interventions.

Analgesic treatment limits surrogate parameters for early stress and pain response after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

In animal research, authorities require a classification of anticipated pain levels and a perioperative analgesia protocol prior to approval of the experiments. However, data on this topic is rare and so is the reported use of analgesics. We determined surrogate parameters of pain and general well-being after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), as well as the potential for improvement by different systemic analgesia paradigms. Brain injury was induced by filament perforation to mimic SAH. Sham-operated mice were included as surgical control groups with either neck or no-neck preparation. Mice with controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury were included as a control group with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but without neck preparation. Mice were randomized to buprenorphine, carprofen, meloxicam, or vehicle treatment. 24 h after SAH, CCI or sham surgery, pain and stress levels were assessed with a visual assessment score and the amount of food intake was recorded.

Results

Neck preparation, which is required to expose the surgical field for SAH induction, already increased pain/stress levels and sham surgeries for both CCI and SAH reduced food intake. Pain/stress levels were higher and food intake was lower after SAH compared with CCI. Pain/stress levels after CCI without analgesic treatment were similar to levels after SAH sham surgery. Pain treatment with buprenorphine was effective to reduce pain after SAH, whereas lower pain/stress intensity levels after CCI were not improved.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of pain and stress assessment after surgeries and the efficacy of buprenorphine to improve pain and comfort levels after experimental SAH.

Osteopontin-Enhanced Autophagy Attenuates Early Brain Injury via FAK-ERK Pathway and Improves Long-Term Outcome after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Osteopontin (OPN) enhances autophagy, reduces apoptosis, and attenuates early brain injury (EBI) after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A total of 87 Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to sham or SAH operations to further investigate the signaling pathway involved in osteopontin-enhanced autophagy during EBI, and the potential effect of recombinant OPN (rOPN) administration to improve long-term outcomes after SAH. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, SAH + Vehicle (PBS, phosphate-buffered saline), SAH + rOPN (5 μg/rat recombinant OPN), SAH + rOPN + Fib-14 (30 mg/kg of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor-14), and SAH + rOPN + DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). Short-term and long-term neurobehavior tests were performed, followed by a collection of brain samples for assessment of autophagy markers in neurons, pathway proteins expression, and delayed hippocampal injury. Western blot, double immunofluorescence staining, Nissl staining, and Fluoro-Jade C staining assay were used. Results showed that rOPN administration increased autophagy in neurons and improved neurobehavior in a rat model of SAH. With the administration of FAK inhibitor-14 (Fib-14), neurobehavioral improvement and autophagy enhancement induced by rOPN were abolished, and there were consistent changes in the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2. In addition, early administration of rOPN in rat SAH models improved long-term neurobehavior results, possibly by alleviating hippocampal injury. These results suggest that FAK–ERK signaling may be involved in OPN-enhanced autophagy in the EBI phase after SAH. Early administration of rOPN may be a preventive and therapeutic strategy against delayed brain injury after SAH.

Osteopontin attenuates early brain injury through regulating autophagy-apoptosis interaction after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Aim

To determine the effect of osteopontin (OPN) on autophagy and autophagy‐apoptosis interactions after SAH.

Methods

The endovascular perforation model of SAH or sham surgery was performed in a total of 86 Sprague‐Dawley male rats. The temporal expressions of endogenous OPN and autophagy‐related proteins (Beclin 1, ATG5, LC3 II to I ratio) were measured in sham and SAH rats at different time points (3, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours). Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham, SAH + Vehicle (PBS, phosphate‐buffered saline), and SAH + rOPN (5 μg/rat recombinant OPN). Neurobehavioral tests were performed 24 hours after SAH, followed by the collection of brain samples for assessment of autophagy and apoptosis proteins. These tests assessed whether an autophagy‐apoptosis relationship existed on the histological level in the brain.

Results

Endogenous OPN and autophagy‐related proteins all increased after SAH. rOPN administration improved neurological dysfunction, increased the expression of autophagy‐related proteins (Beclin 1, ATG5, LC3 II to I ratio) and antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2, while decreasing the expression of proapoptotic proteins (cleaved Caspase‐3 and Bax). rOPN also regulated autophagy‐apoptosis interactions 24 hours after SAH.

Conclusion

rOPN attenuates early brain injury and inhibits neuronal apoptosis by activating autophagy and regulating autophagy‐apoptosis interactions.

Neutrophils mediate early cerebral cortical hypoperfusion in a murine model of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Cerebral hypoperfusion in the first hours after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a major determinant of poor neurological outcome. However, the underlying pathophysiology is only partly understood. Here we induced neutropenia in C57BL/6N mice by anti-Ly6G antibody injection, induced SAH by endovascular filament perforation, and analysed cerebral cortical perfusion with laser SPECKLE contrast imaging to investigate the role of neutrophils in mediating cerebral hypoperfusion during the first 24 h post-SAH. SAH induction significantly increased the intracranial pressure (ICP), and significantly reduced the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). At 3 h after SAH, ICP had returned to baseline and CPP was similar between SAH and sham mice. However, in SAH mice with normal neutrophil counts cortical hypoperfusion persisted. Conversely, despite similar CPP, cortical perfusion was significantly higher at 3 h after SAH in mice with neutropenia. The levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α in the subarachnoid haematoma increased significantly at 3 h after SAH in animals with normal neutrophil counts indicating oxidative stress, which was not the case in neutropenic SAH animals. These results suggest that neutrophils are important mediators of cortical hypoperfusion and oxidative stress early after SAH. Targeting neutrophil function and neutrophil-induced oxidative stress could be a promising new approach to mitigate cerebral hypoperfusion early after SAH.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Microvascular Disturbances after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Oxidative stress was shown to play a crucial role in the diverse pathogenesis of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Microcirculatory dysfunction is thought to be an important and fundamental pathological change in EBI. However, other than blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, the influence of oxidative stress on microvessels remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress on microcirculatory integrity in EBI. SAH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using an endovascular perforation technique. A free radical scavenger, edaravone, was administered prophylactically by intraperitoneal injection. SAH grade, neurological score, brain water content, and BBB permeability were measured at 24 h after SAH induction. In addition, cortical samples taken at 24 h after SAH were analyzed to explore oxidative stress, microvascular mural cell apoptosis, microspasm, and microthrombosis. Edaravone treatment significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, brain edema, and BBB disruption. In addition, oxidative stress-induced modifications and subsequent apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes increased after SAH induction, while the administration of edaravone suppressed this. Consistent with apoptotic cell inhibition, microthromboses were also inhibited by edaravone administration. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the induction of multiple pathological changes in microvessels in EBI. Antioxidants are potential candidates for the treatment of microvascular disturbances after SAH.

The Contractile Apparatus Is Essential for the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Development of vasogenic brain edema is a key event contributing to mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The precise underlying mechanisms at the neurovascular level that lead to disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are still unknown. Activation of myosin light chain kinases (MLCK) may result in change of endothelial cell shape and opening of the intercellular gap with subsequent vascular leakage. Male C57Bl6 mice were subjected to endovascular perforation. Brain water content was determined by wet-dry ratio and BBB integrity by Evans-Blue extravasation. The specific MLCK inhibitor ML-7 was administered to the mice to determine the role of the contractile apparatus of the neurovascular unit in determining brain water content, BBB integrity, neurofunctional outcome, brain damage, and survival at 7 days after SAH. Inhibition of MLCK significantly reduced BBB permeability (Evans Blue extravasation − 28%) and significantly decreased edema formation in comparison with controls (− 2%). MLCK-treated mice showed reduced intracranial pressure (− 53%), improved neurological outcome at 24 h and 48 h after SAH, and reduced 7-day mortality. Tight junction proteins claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 levels were not influenced by ML-7 at 24 h after insult. The effect of ML-7 on pMLC was confirmed in brain endothelial cell culture (bEnd.3 cells) subjected to 4-h oxygen-glucose deprivation. The present study indicates that MLCK contributes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction after SAH by a mechanism that does not involve modulation of tight junction protein levels, but via activation of the contractile apparatus of the endothelial cell skeleton. This underlying mechanism may be a promising target for the treatment of SAH.