Role of Microglial Calcium Waves in Ischemic Stroke

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Abstract Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and severe disability in US and worldwide. Stroke-induced hypoxia promotes a cascade of pathophysiological responses that lead to necrosis in the ischemic core, and apoptosis in the hypo-perfused tissue known as penumbra. Cell death triggers an inflammatory response that contributes to secondary injury and potentially harms the neurons surviving the initial insult. Microglia are the principal immune cells in the brain parenchyma but their specific roles in secondary injury and the underlying mechanisms of induction remain unclear. We hypothesize that increased calcium signaling is a key mechanism in the acute stroke-induced microglial activation, possibly leading to increased release of proinflammatory cytokines. We have developed a mouse reporter that indicates intracellular calcium in microglial cells. In this system, we use 2- photon imaging and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) to study microglial responses to ischemic injury in vivo. We have demonstrated periodical waves of calcium activity in cortical microglia following intraarterial occlusion, consistent with patterns of cortical spreading depolarizations (CSD). We propose to test the role of these calcium transients by pharmacological inhibition of calcium influx, mediated by the calcium release- activated calcium (CRAC) channels, and by genetic ablation of CRAC channel subunits. In Aim 1, we will directly test whether the novel CRAC channel inhibitors developed by CalciMedica can reduce microglial activation, neuro-inflammation and ultimately infarct size in the mouse model of MCAo. Pharmacological effects of these blockers will be characterized with 2-photon imaging and their immune-protective effects in vivo will be evaluated by cytokine profiling. In Aim2, the CRAC channel subunits Stim1 and Stim2 will be genetically ablated in brain microglia and behavioral outcomes and infarct size after MCAo stroke will be evaluated. Stroke kills almost 130,000 Americans each year. If successful, clinical translation of this approach could help to reduce the burden of this disease. Our overreaching objective is to apply the tools and techniques assembled under this pilot study to a broader R01 project investigating CRAC-mediated calcium overload in all other brain cells during ischemic injury.