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Background and purposeAutoimmune responses can occur when antigens from the central nervous system are presented to lymphocytes in the periphery or central nervous system in several neurological diseases. However, whether autoimmune responses emerge after brain ischemia and their impact on clinical outcomes remains controversial. We hypothesized that brain ischemia facilitates the genesis of autoimmunity and aggravates ischemic brain injury.MethodsUsing a mouse strain that harbors a transgenic T-cell receptor to a central nervous system antigen, MOG35-55 (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) epitope (2D2), we determined the anatomic location and involvement of antigen-presenting cells in the development of T-cell reactivity after brain ischemia and how T-cell reactivity impacts stroke outcome. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and photothrombotic stroke models were used in this study. We also quantified the presence and status of T cells from brain slices of ischemic patients.ResultsBy coupling transfer of labeled MOG35-55-specific (2D2) T cells with tetramer tracking, we show an expansion in reactivity of 2D2 T cells to MOG91-108 and MOG103-125 in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and photothrombotic stroke models. This reactivity and T-cell activation first occur locally in the brain after ischemia. Also, microglia act as antigen-presenting cells that effectively present MOG antigens, and depletion of microglia ablates expansion of 2D2 reactive T cells. Notably, the adoptive transfer of neuroantigen-experienced 2D2 T cells exacerbates Th1/Th17 responses and brain injury. Finally, T-cell activation and MOG-specific T cells are present in the brain of patients with ischemic stroke.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that brain ischemia activates and diversifies T-cell responses locally, which exacerbates ischemic brain injury.

Endothelial integrity is critical in mitigating a vicious cascade of secondary injuries following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a contributor to endothelial integrity loss, is elevated during stroke and is associated with worsened stroke outcome. We investigated the FDA-approved selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) ligand, ozanimod, on the regulation/activity of MMP-9 as well as endothelial barrier components [platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), claudin-5, and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1)] in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) following hypoxia plus glucose deprivation (HGD). We previously reported that S1PR1 activation improves HBMEC integrity; however, mechanisms underlying S1PR1 involvement in endothelial cell barrier integrity have not been clearly elucidated. We hypothesized that ozanimod would attenuate an HGD-induced increase in MMP-9 activity that would concomitantly attenuate the loss of integral barrier components. Male HBMECs were treated with ozanimod or vehicle and exposed to 3 h of normoxia (21% O2) or HGD (1% O2). Immunoblotting, zymography, qRT-PCR, and immunocytochemical labeling techniques assessed processes related to MMP-9 and barrier markers. We observed that HGD acutely increased MMP-9 activity and reduced claudin-5 and PECAM-1 levels, and ozanimod attenuated these responses. In situ analysis, via PROSPER, suggested that attenuation of MMP-9 activity may be a primary factor in maintaining these integral barrier proteins. We also observed that HGD increased intracellular mechanisms associated with augmented MMP-9 activation; however, ozanimod had no effect on these select factors. Thus, we conclude that ozanimod has the potential to attenuate HGD-mediated decreases in HBMEC integrity in part by decreasing MMP-9 activity as well as preserving barrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both protective and nonprotective effects of androgens on the cardiovascular system have been reported. Our previous studies show that the potent androgen receptor (AR) agonist dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases levels of the vascular inflammatory mediator cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in rodent cerebral arteries independent of an inflammatory stimulus. Little is known about the effects of androgens on inflammation in human vascular tissues. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that DHT alters COX-2 levels in the absence and presence of induced inflammation in primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC). Furthermore, we tested the ancillary hypothesis that DHT's effects on COX-2 levels are AR-dependent. Cells were treated with DHT (10 nM) or vehicle for 6 h in the presence or absence of LPS or IL-1[beta]. Similar to previous observations in rodent arteries, in HCASMC, DHT alone increased COX-2 levels compared with vehicle. This effect of DHT was attenuated in the presence of the AR antagonist bicalutamide. Conversely, in the presence of LPS or IL-1[beta], increases in COX-2 were attenuated by cotreatment with DHT. Bicalutamide did not affect this response, suggesting that DHT-induced decreases in COX-2 levels occur independent of AR stimulation. Thus we conclude that DHT differentially influences COX-2 levels under physiological and pathophysiological conditions in HCASMC. This effect of DHT on COX-2 involves AR-dependent and independent mechanisms, depending on the physiological state of the cell. vascular smooth muscle; interleukin-l[beta]; lipopolysaccharide; inflammation; androgen doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00693.2009.

We previously showed that testosterone, administered in vivo, increases the tone of cerebral arteries. A possible underlying mechanism is increased vasoconstriction through the thromboxane [A.sub.2] (Tx[A.sub.2]) pathway. Therefore, we investigated the effect of chronic testosterone treatment (4 wk) on Tx[A.sub.2] synthase levels and the contribution of Tx[A.sub.2] to vascular tone in rat middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). Using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that Tx[A.sub.2] synthase is present in MCA segments in both smooth muscle and endothelial layers. Using Western blot analysis, we found that Tx[A.sub.2] synthase protein levels are higher in cerebral vessel homogenates from testosteronetreated orchiectomized (ORX+T) rats compared with orchiectomized (ORX) control animals. Functional consequences of changes in cerebrovascular Tx[A.sub.2] synthase were determined using cannulated, pressurized MCA segments in vitro. Constrictor responses to the Tx[A.sub.2] mimetic U-46619 were not different between the ORX+T and ORX groups. However, dilator responses to either the selective Tx[A.sub.2] synthase inhibitor furegrelate or the Tx[A.sub.2]-endoperoxide receptor (TP) antagonist SQ-29548 were greater in the ORX+T compared with ORX group. In endothelium-denuded arteries, the dilation to furegrelate was attenuated in both the ORX and ORX+T groups, and the difference between the groups was abolished. These data suggest that chronic testosterone treatment enhances Tx[A.sub.2]-mediated tone in rat cerebral arteries by increasing endothelial Tx[A.sub.2] synthesis without altering the TP receptors mediating constriction. The effect of in vivo testosterone on cerebrovascular Tx[A.sub.2] synthase, observed here after chronic hormone administration, may contribute to the risk of vasospasm and thrombosis related to cerebrovascular disease. thromboxane synthase; cerebral circulation; vascular smooth muscle; endothelium

Chronic estrogen treatment increases endothelial vasodilator function in cerebral arteries. Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) is a primary target of the hormone, but other endothelial factors may be modulated as well. In light of possible interactions between NO and prostaglandins, we tested the hypothesis that estrogen treatment increases prostanoid-mediated dilation using NOS-deficient female mouse models, i.e., mice treated with a NOS inhibitor [[N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)] for 21 days or transgenic mice with the eNOS gene disrupted (eNO[S.sup.-/-]). All mice were ovariectomized; some in each group were treated chronically with estrogen. Cerebral blood vessels then were isolated for biochemical and functional analyses. In vessels from control mice, estrogen increased protein levels of eNOS but had no significant effect on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 protein, prostacyclin production, or constriction of pressurized, middle cerebral arteries to indomethacin, a COX inhibitor. In L-NAME-treated mice, however, cerebrovascular COX-1 levels, prostacyclin production, and constriction to indomethacin, as well as eNOS protein, were all greater in estrogen-treated animals. In vessels from eNO[S.sup.-/-] mice, estrogen treatment also increased levels of COX-1 protein and constriction to indomethacin, but no effect on prostacyclin production was detected. Thus cerebral blood vessels of control mice did not exhibit effects of estrogen on the prostacyclin pathway. However, when NO production was dysfunctional, the impact of estrogen on a COX-sensitive vasodilator was revealed. Estrogen has multiple endothelial targets; estrogen effects may be modified by interactions among these factors. cyclooxygenase-1; prostacyclin; indomethacin; endothelial nitric oxide synthase; [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester

Little is known about vascular effects of testosterone. We previously reported chronic testosterone treatment increases vascular tone in middle cerebral arteries (MCA; 300 [micro]m diameter) of male rats. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that physiological levels of circulating testosterone affect endothelial factors that modulate cerebrovascular reactivity. Small branches of MCA (150 [micro]m diameter) were isolated from orchiectomized (ORX) and testosterone-treated (ORX+T) rats. Intraluminal diameters were recorded after step changes in intralumiual pressure (20-100 Torr) in the absence or presence of [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor; indomethacin, a cyclooxygeuase (COX) inhibitor: and/or apamin and charybdotoxin (CTX); and [K.sub.Ca] channel blockers used to inhibit endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF). At intraluminal pressures [greater than or equal to] 60 Torr, arteries from ORX+T developed greater tone compared with ORX arteries. This difference was abolished by removal of the endothelium but remained after treatment of intact arteries with indomethacin or L-NAME. In addition, testosterone treatment had no effect on cerebrovascular production of endothelin-1 or prostacyclin nor did it alter protein levels of endothelial NOS or COX-1. Endothelium removal after L-NAME/ indomethacin exposure caused an additional increase in tone. Interestingly, the latter effect was smaller in arteries from ORX+T, suggesting testosterone affects endothelial vasodilators that are independent of NOS and COX. Apamin/CTX, in the presence of L-NAME/indomethacin, abolished the difference in tone between ORX and ORX+T and resulted in vessel diameters similar to those of endothelium-denuded preparations. In conclusion, testosterone may modulate vascular tone in cerebral arteries by suppressing EDHF. endothelium; vascular tone; endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor

Role of CO in attenuated vasoconstrictor reactivity of mesenteric resistance arteries after chronic hypoxia. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 282: H30-H37, 2002.--Chronic hypoxia (CH) is associated with a persistent reduction in systemic vasoconstrictor reactivity. Experiments on aortic ring segments isolated from CH rats suggest that enhanced vascular expression of heme oxygenase (HO) and resultant production of the vasodilator carbon monoxide (CO) may underlie this attenuated vasoreactivity after hypoxia. Similar to the aorta, small arteries from CH rats exhibit blunted reactivity; however, the regulatory role of CO in the resistance vasculature has not been established. Therefore, we examined the significance of HO activity on responsiveness to phenylephrine (PE) in the mesenteric circulation of control and CH rats. To document that the mesenteric bed demonstrates reduced reactivity after CH, we determined the vasoconstrictor responses of conscious, chronically instrumented male Sprague-Dawley rats to PE under control conditions and then immediately after exposure to 48 h CH (0.5 atm). All rats showed reduced mesenteric vasoconstriction to PE after CH. To examine the role of CO in reduced reactivity, small mesenteric arteries (100-200 [micro]m intraluminal diameter) from control and 48-h CH rats were isolated and mounted on glass cannulas, pressurized to 60 mmHg and superfused with increasing concentrations of PE under normoxic conditions. Similar to the intact circulation, vessels from CH rats exhibited reduced vasoconstrictor sensitivity to PE compared with controls that persisted in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibition. The HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (5 [micro]M) enhanced reactivity only in CH vessels. Additionally, a range of concentrations of the HO substrate heme-L-lysinate caused vasodilation in CH vessels but not in controls. Thus we conclude that CO contributes a significant vasodilator influence in resistance vessels after CH that may account for diminished vasoconstrictor responsiveness under these conditions. rat; heme oxygenase