1. Neuroprotective effects of lentivirus-mediated aquaporin-4 gene silencing in rat model of traumatic brain injury.
- Author
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Li B, Wei M, Wan X, Chen Z, Liu M, Fan Z, and Yang L
- Subjects
- Animals, Astrocytes, Gene Silencing, Lentivirus genetics, Lentivirus metabolism, Neuroprotection, RNA, Small Interfering, Rats, Aquaporin 4 genetics, Brain Edema etiology, Brain Edema metabolism, Brain Injuries, Traumatic genetics, Brain Injuries, Traumatic therapy
- Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common clinical condition caused by external force. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in astrocytes participates in the generation of cell swelling in TBI., Methods: This research explored the effect of AQP4 gene silencing in a TBI rat model. A hydraulic craniocerebral trauma instrument was employed for establishing the TBI rat model. AQP4 expression in the brain was inhibited by the injection of AQP4 shRNA-lentiviral vector. The expression of relative genes was evaluated by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Neuronal apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL assay., Results: AQP4 shRNA treatment inhibited AQP4 expression in the brain of rats with TBI. AQP4 shRNA alleviated TBI-induced brain edema and neurological deficit in rats. Neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte activation in TBI rats were reduced by AQP4 silencing., Conclusion: This research demonstrated that AQP4 shRNA-induced silencing of AQP4 in the TBI rat model reduced the expression of AQP4 and GFAP, alleviated brain edema, neurological deficit, neuronal apoptosis and inhibited astrocyte activation.
- Published
- 2022
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