Abstract
Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Some aspects of inflammation are known to be detrimental and arresting these aspects may improve stroke outcomes. Neutrophils are critical neuroinflammatory mediators and among the first immune cells to respond to the onset of stroke. As the stroke evolves, neutrophils may expel their intracellular contents, referred to as Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), in a process called NETosis. NETs increase microvascular occlusion and lead to further progression of stroke. However, the interaction of NETs with the cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and the effect of this interaction on stroke outcomes is poorly understood. This project aims to investigate this relationship. Methods: Leukocytes and plasma from C57BL/6 wildtype mice were isolated from whole blood. The leukocytes were then plated in 24-well plates and divided into control and Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD) simulating a stroke environment in vitro. Thereafter, leukocytes were subjected to immunofluorescent staining for neutrophils (Ly6G), and the NETosis markers citrullinated histones (CitH3) and dsDNA. Media from both groups was assayed for Neutrophil Elastase, IL-6, TNF-α, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The remaining media was used to treat primary microvascular endothelial cells to assess inflammation and cell death. Results: Ly6G antibody staining verified that most of the leukocytes plated were neutrophils. The CitH3 and dsDNA immunostaining confirmed induction of NETosis in the OGD group. We also found a significant increase in IL-6 and LDH levels suggesting significant inflammation and cell death in OGD treated leukocytes. Exposure of endothelial cells with NETs enriched media obtained from OGD exposed leukocytes resulted in significant decrease in cell count and increase in IL-6 and LDH levels, suggesting that NETs promoted inflammation and death in the endothelial cells. Nuclear staining of the endothelial cells also exhibited significant decrease in cell count in cohorts treated with the OGD exposed leukocyte media. Conclusion: These pilot data suggest that NETosis may contribute to the cytotoxicity of cerebral endothelial cells during stroke and serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.