Journal of Neuroinflammation (Jun 2018)

Carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 protects against ischemic stroke by suppressing neuroinflammation and alleviating blood-brain barrier disruption

  • Jianping Wang,
  • Di Zhang,
  • Xiaojie Fu,
  • Lie Yu,
  • Zhengfang Lu,
  • Yufeng Gao,
  • Xianliang Liu,
  • Jiang Man,
  • Sijia Li,
  • Nan Li,
  • Xuemei Chen,
  • Michael Hong,
  • Qingwu Yang,
  • Jian Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1226-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Background At low levels, carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to have beneficial effects on multiple organs and tissues through its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative properties. However, the effect of CO-releasing molecule (CORM)-3, a water-soluble CORM, on ischemic stroke and its mechanism of action are still unclear. Methods We investigated the role of CORM-3 in the mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). CORM-3 or saline was administered to mice by retro-orbital injection at the time of reperfusion after 1-h tMCAO or at 1 h after sham surgery. We assessed infarct volume and brain water content at 24 and 72 h after ischemia, blood-brain barrier permeability at 6 and 72 h after ischemia, and neurologic deficits on days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Results Among mice that underwent tMCAO, those that received CORM-3 had significantly smaller infarct volume and greater expression of neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) and microtubule-associated protein 2 than did saline-treated mice. CORM-3-treated mice had significantly fewer activated microglia in the peri-infarction zone than did control mice and exhibited downregulated expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule (Iba)-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 1β. CORM-3-treated mice had significantly lower brain water content and enhanced neurologic outcomes on days 3, 7, and 14 post-tMCAO. Lastly, CORM-3 treatment reduced Evans blue leakage; increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β, tight junction protein ZO-1, and matrix protein laminin; and decreased protein level of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Conclusion CORM-3 treatment at the time of reperfusion reduces ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury by suppressing neuroinflammation and alleviating blood-brain barrier disruption. Our data suggest that CORM-3 may provide an effective therapy for ischemic stroke.

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