@article{BieberFoersterHaefelietal.2021, author = {Bieber, Michael and Foerster, Kathrin I. and Haefeli, Walter E. and Pham, Mirko and Schuhmann, Michael K. and Kraft, Peter}, title = {Treatment with edoxaban attenuates acute stroke severity in mice by reducing blood-brain barrier damage and inflammation}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {18}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22189893}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284481}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Patients with atrial fibrillation and previous ischemic stroke (IS) are at increased risk of cerebrovascular events despite anticoagulation. In these patients, treatment with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) such as edoxaban reduced the probability and severity of further IS without increasing the risk of major bleeding. However, the detailed protective mechanism of edoxaban has not yet been investigated in a model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore, in the current study we aimed to assess in a clinically relevant setting whether treatment with edoxaban attenuates stroke severity, and whether edoxaban has an impact on the local cerebral inflammatory response and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function after experimental IS in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in male mice receiving edoxaban, phenprocoumon or vehicle. Infarct volumes, functional outcome and the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage were assessed. BBB damage and the extent of local inflammatory response were determined. Treatment with edoxaban significantly reduced infarct volumes and improved neurological outcome and BBB function on day 1 and attenuated brain tissue inflammation. In summary, our study provides evidence that edoxaban might exert its protective effect in human IS by modulating different key steps of IS pathophysiology, but further studies are warranted.}, language = {en} } @article{SalvadorBurekLoehretal.2021, author = {Salvador, Ellaine and Burek, Malgorzata and L{\"o}hr, Mario and Nagai, Michiaki and Hagemann, Carsten and F{\"o}rster, Carola Y.}, title = {Senescence and associated blood-brain barrier alterations in vitro}, series = {Histochemistry and Cell Biology}, volume = {156}, journal = {Histochemistry and Cell Biology}, number = {3}, issn = {1432-119X}, doi = {10.1007/s00418-021-01992-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-267435}, pages = {283-292}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Progressive deterioration of the central nervous system (CNS) is commonly associated with aging. An important component of the neurovasculature is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), majorly made up of endothelial cells joined together by intercellular junctions. The relationship between senescence and changes in the BBB has not yet been thoroughly explored. Moreover, the lack of in vitro models for the study of the mechanisms involved in those changes impede further and more in-depth investigations in the field. For this reason, we herein present an in vitro model of the senescent BBB and an initial attempt to identify senescence-associated alterations within.}, language = {en} } @article{ShityakovHayashiStoerketal.2021, author = {Shityakov, Sergey and Hayashi, Kentaro and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Scheper, Verena and Lenarz, Thomas and F{\"o}rster, Carola Y.}, title = {The conspicuous link between ear, brain and heart - Could neurotrophin-treatment of age-related hearing loss help prevent Alzheimer's disease and associated amyloid cardiomyopathy?}, series = {Biomolecules}, volume = {11}, journal = {Biomolecules}, number = {6}, issn = {2218-273X}, doi = {10.3390/biom11060900}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241084}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive decline. While the deposition of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the pathological hallmarks of AD-affected brains, the majority of cases exhibits a combination of comorbidities that ultimately lead to multi-organ failure. Of particular interest, it can be demonstrated that Aβ pathology is present in the hearts of patients with AD, while the formation of NFT in the auditory system can be detected much earlier than the onset of symptoms. Progressive hearing impairment may beget social isolation and accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing dementia. The current review discusses the concept of a brain-ear-heart axis by which Aβ and NFT inhibition could be achieved through targeted supplementation of neurotrophic factors to the cochlea and the brain. Such amyloid inhibition might also indirectly affect amyloid accumulation in the heart, thus reducing the risk of developing AD-associated amyloid cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular disease.}, language = {en} }