No abstract

C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a receptor for a pleiotropic chemokine CXCL12. Previous studies have shown that the acute administration of the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 reduced neuroinflammation in stroke brain and mobilized bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The purpose of this study was to characterize the neuroprotective and neurotrophic effect of a novel CXCR4 antagonist CX549. We demonstrated that CX549 had a higher affinity for CXCR4 and was more potent than AMD3100 to inhibit CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis in culture. CX549 effectively reduced the activation of microglia and improved neuronal survival after injury in neuron/microglia cocultures. Early poststroke treatment with CX549 significantly improved behavioral function, reduced brain infarction, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory markers. Compared to AMD3100, CX549 has a higher affinity for CXCR4, is more efficient to mobilize HSCs for transplantation, and induces behavioral improvement. Our data support that CX549 is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, is neuroprotective against ischemic brain injury, and may have clinical implications for the treatment of stroke.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of stroke, with high mortality and morbidity. There is no effective pharmacological therapy for ICH. Previous studies have indicated that CXCR4 antagonists reduced microglia activation, attenuated infiltration of T cells, and improved functional recovery in ischemic stroke animals. The interaction of CXCR4 antagonists and ICH has not been characterized. The purpose of this study is to examine the neuroprotective action of a novel CXCR4 antagonist CX807 against ICH. In primary cortical neuronal and BV2 microglia co-culture, CX807 reduced glutamate-mediated neuronal loss and microglia activation. Adult rats were locally administered with collagenase VII to induce ICH. CX807 was given systemically after the ICH. Early post-treatment with CX807 improved locomotor activity in ICH rats. Brain tissues were collected for qRTPCR and histological staining. ICH upregulated the expression of CXCR4, CD8, TNFα, IL6, and TLR4. The immunoreactivity of IBA1 and CD8, as well as TUNEL labeling, were enhanced in the perilesioned area. CX807 significantly mitigated these responses. In conclusion, our data suggest that CX807 is neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory against ICH. CX807 may have clinical implications for the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke.

Stroke induces not only cell death but also neurorepair. De novo neurogenesis has been found in the subventricular zone of the adult mammalian brain days after stroke. Most of these newly generated cells die shortly after the insult. Recent studies have shown that pharmacological manipulation can improve the survival of endogenous neuroprogenitor cells and neural regeneration in stroke rats. As these drugs target the endogenous reparative processes that occur days after stroke, they may provide a prolonged window for stroke therapy. Here, we discuss endogenous neurogenesis-enhancing drugs and review the general status of stroke therapeutics in evaluating the field of pharmacotherapy for stroke.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors have protective and anti-inflammatory actions against brain injury, mediated by nicotinic a7 cholinergic receptor activation. The use of AChE inhibitors in patients is limited by systemic cholinergic side effects. Posiphen, a stereoisomer of the AChE inhibitor Phenserine, lacks AChE inhibitor activity. The purpose of this study is to determine the protective effect of Posiphen in cellular and animal models of stroke. Both Posiphen and Phenserine reduced glutamate-mediated neuronal loss in co-cultures of primary cortical cells and microglia. Phenserine-, but not Posiphen-, mediated neuroprotection was diminished by the nicotinic a7 receptor antagonist methyllycaconitine. Posiphen antagonized NMDA-mediated Ca ++ influx, thapsigargin-mediated neuronal loss and ER stress in cultured cells. Early post-treatment with Posiphen reduced ER stress signals, IBA1 immunoreactivity, TUNEL and infarction in the ischemic cortex, as well as neurological deficits in stroke rats. These findings indicate that Posiphen is neuroprotective against stroke through regulating Ca ++ i and ER stress.