2. Academic Validation
  3. Knockdown of Smox protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier through antioxidant effect and Nrf2 pathway activation in stroke

Knockdown of Smox protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier through antioxidant effect and Nrf2 pathway activation in stroke

  • Int Immunopharmacol. 2023 Nov 18:126:111183. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111183.
Guangtian Wang 1,  Zhihui Li 2,  Peng Lin 3,  Huishu Zhang 4,  Yanyan Wang 5,  Tongshuai Zhang 6,  Hui Wang 1,  Heming Li 1,  Lexun Lin 1,  Yuehui Zhao 1,  Lina Jia 1,  Yang Chen 1,  Hong Ji 1,  Wenran Zhao 7,  Zhongqiu Fu 8,  Zhaohua Zhong 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Teaching Center of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 2 Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China.
  • 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 4 Teaching Center of Biotechnology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 5 Teaching Center of Morphology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 6 Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 7 Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
  • 8 Department of Neonatology, Zhuhai Women and Children's Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 9 Teaching Center of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 37984250 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111183
Abstract

Once an ischemic stroke occurs, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and oxidative stress degrade the tight connections between cerebral endothelial cells resulting in their damage. The expression of antioxidant genes may be enhanced, and ROS formation may be reduced following Nrf2 activation, which is associated with protection against ischemic stroke. Overexpression of spermine oxidase (Smox) in the neocortex led to increased H2O2 production. However, how Smox impacts the regulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) through antioxidants has not been examined yet. We conducted experiments both in the cell level and in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model to evaluate the effect of Smox siRNA lentivirus (si-Smox) knockdown on BBB protection against ischemic stroke. Mice treated with si-Smox showed remarkably decreased BBB breakdown and reduced endothelial inflammation following stroke. The treatment with si-Smox significantly elevated the Bcl-2 to Bax ratio and decreased the production of cleaved Caspase-3 in the tMCAO model. Further investigation revealed that the neuroprotective effect was the result of the antioxidant properties of si-Smox, which reduced oxidative stress and enhanced CD31+ cells in the peri-infarct cortical areas. Of significance, si-Smox activated Nrf2 in both bEnd.3 cells and tMCAO Animals, and blocking Nrf2 with brusatol diminished the protective effects of si-Smox. The study findings suggest that si-Smox exerts neuroprotective effects and promotes angiogenesis by activating the Nrf2 pathway, thus decreasing oxidative stress and Apoptosis caused by tMCAO. As a result, si-Smox may hold potential as a therapeutic candidate for preserving BBB integrity while treating ischemic stroke.

Keywords

Blood brain barrier; Integrity; Ischemic stroke; Nrf2; ROS; Smox.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-19543
    99.89%, Nrf2 Inhibitor