Central actions of relaxin-3 on astrocyte migration, cortical arteriolar flow and cerebral damage

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Injuries of the brain resulting from trauma or stroke are the leading cause of disability in the Western World. When injury occurs, the blood supply to an area is often compromised, the affected tissue dies and a scar forms. These changes affect the ability of nerve cells to communicate and result in processing deficits. We have known that the hormone relaxin is present throughout the body for a long time but recently, a specific type of this hormone has been found to be located solely within the brain. We know that relaxin outside the brain causes an increase in blood flow to tissues and reduces the amount of scarring after damage and is involved with remodelling of connective tissue. Therefore, the purpose of the current work is to investigate whether or not the specific brain version of relaxin acts on the brain to increase blood flow and reduce scarring particularly after injury. This is a study in basic physiology to understand how the specific brain relaxin might function. We will examine the way cells in the brain that provide the connective tissue framework, known as astrocytes, move and change position to cause scars and explore whether or not brain relaxin affects that process. Astrocytes are the most numerous cells in the brain and provide structure and help regulate the local environment in the brain. Part of this work will be done in the laboratory using techniques where it is possible to examine the way astrocytes migrate and part will be done in whole animal preparations in anaesthetized animals looking at the way astrocytes move in response to trauma and loss of blood supply. We will also explore whether or not brain relaxin causes small blood vessels on the surface of the brain to dilate, increasing blood flow to an area. Experiments will be done in anaesthetized rats and isolated rat brain tissue. In the longer-term, these studies might highlight ways in which brain relaxin could be considered in the treatment of injuries in the brain.