Activation of CRHR1 contributes to cerebral endothelial barrier impairment via cPLA2 phosphorylation in experimental ischemic stroke

Abstract

The activation of corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor (CRHR) 1 is implicated in neuronal injury in experimental stroke. However, little is known about the relationship between CRHR1 activation and brain endothelial barrier impairment after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Recently we have demonstrated that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2 as well as p38 is required for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-increased cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) phosphorylation in bEnd3 cells. Using this in vitro ischemic-like model, we found that both blockade and interference of CRHR1 inhibited H2O2-enhancd p38, Erk1/2 and cPLA2 phosphorylation and in turn suppressed monolayer hyperpermeability and ZO-1 redistribution. Then using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model, we revealed that CRHR1 antagonist NBI27914 pretreatment attenuated cPLA2 phosphorylation, Evans blue dye (EBD) extravasation, tight junction disruption and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. CRHR1 interference also inhibited cortical vascular hyperpermeability. Furthermore, NBI27914 administration attenuated neurovascular injury. After 30 min MCAO with 7 days reperfusion CRHR1 interference alleviated hippocampal blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and improved spatial cognitive dysfunction. Thus, our study demonstrates that during ischemic stroke the activation of endothelial CRHR1 contributes to BBB impairment via cPLA2 phosphorylation.