Effect of genetic intervention of AQP4 gene on the infarction size following cerebral ischemic reperfusion in rat / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of aquaporin4 (AQP4) on the brain injury after cerebral ischemic reperfusion and to search the new method that can prevent and cure the injury. Methods Locally injection of naked DNA ( pcNDA3.1/Zeo), which carries AQP4 gene and reporter gene green fluorescent protein(GFP), in the brain was performed 12 h before ischemic challenge to up-regulate the AQP4 expression. The expressed level of AQP4, the infarction size and neurological deficit scores were estimated in three groups. Results (1) Exogenous AQP4 expression in the brain did not affect the healthy rat neurological deficit score; (2) Rat neurological deficit scores were 7.9?0.7, and 7.1?0.9 respectively in 12 h and 24 h after reperfusion in AQP4 injected group, which were lower than that in plasmid control group when both groups were challenged with reperfusion after ischemia; (3) Expression of AQP4 in the brain was higher in AQP4 injected group than plasmid control group and control group in early stage after reperfusion; (4) Expression of exogenous AQP4 in the brain increased the cortex and striatum infarction size 24 h after reperfusion, which were (261.0?18.2) mm 3 and (21.9?1.9) mm 3, respectively, in AQP4 injected group more than plasmid control group. Conclusions (1) Increased local AQP4 expression in brain does not affect neurological function in the healthy rat; (2) Pre-expression of AQP4 increase infarction size and neuro-functional injury; (3) Modification of AQP4 activity and regulation of AQP4 expression level would be the new strategy for the prevention of cerebral edema and the reduction of cerebral injury after stroke.