@article{BieberSchuhmannBellutetal.2022, author = {Bieber, Michael and Schuhmann, Michael K. and Bellut, Maximilian and Stegner, David and Heinze, Katrin G. and Pham, Mirko and Nieswandt, Bernhard and Stoll, Guido}, title = {Blockade of platelet glycoprotein Ibα augments neuroprotection in Orai2-deficient mice during middle cerebral artery occlusion}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {16}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms23169496}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286038}, year = {2022}, abstract = {During ischemic stroke, infarct growth before recanalization diminishes functional outcome. Hence, adjunct treatment options to protect the ischemic penumbra before recanalization are eagerly awaited. In experimental stroke targeting two different pathways conferred protection from penumbral tissue loss: (1) enhancement of hypoxic tolerance of neurons by deletion of the calcium channel subunit Orai2 and (2) blocking of detrimental lymphocyte-platelet responses. However, until now, no preclinical stroke study has assessed the potential of combining neuroprotective with anti-thrombo-inflammatory interventions to augment therapeutic effects. We induced focal cerebral ischemia in Orai2-deficient (Orai2\(^{-/-}\)) mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Animals were treated with anti-glycoprotein Ib alpha (GPIbα) Fab fragments (p0p/B Fab) blocking GPIbα-von Willebrand factor (vWF) interactions. Rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fab was used as the control treatment. The extent of infarct growth before recanalization was assessed at 4 h after MCAO. Moreover, infarct volumes were determined 6 h after recanalization (occlusion time: 4 h). Orai2 deficiency significantly halted cerebral infarct progression under occlusion. Inhibition of platelet GPIbα further reduced primary infarct growth in Orai2\(^{-/-}\) mice. During ischemia-reperfusion, upon recanalization, mice were likewise protected. All in all, we show that neuroprotection in Orai2\(^{-/-}\) mice can be augmented by targeting thrombo-inflammation. This supports the clinical development of combined neuroprotective/anti-platelet strategies in hyper-acute stroke.}, language = {en} } @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{SchuhmannBieberFrankeetal.2021, author = {Schuhmann, Michael K. and Bieber, Michael and Franke, Maximilian and Kollikowski, Alexander M. and Stegner, David and Heinze, Katrin G. and Nieswandt, Bernhard and Pham, Mirko and Stoll, Guido}, title = {Platelets and lymphocytes drive progressive penumbral tissue loss during middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {18}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1186/s12974-021-02095-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259172}, pages = {46}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background In acute ischemic stroke, cessation of blood flow causes immediate tissue necrosis within the center of the ischemic brain region accompanied by functional failure in the surrounding brain tissue designated the penumbra. The penumbra can be salvaged by timely thrombolysis/thrombectomy, the only available acute stroke treatment to date, but is progressively destroyed by the expansion of infarction. The underlying mechanisms of progressive infarction are not fully understood. Methods To address mechanisms, mice underwent filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for up to 4 h. Infarct development was compared between mice treated with antigen-binding fragments (Fab) against the platelet surface molecules GPIb (p0p/B Fab) or rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fab as control treatment. Moreover, Rag1\(^{-/-}\) mice lacking T-cells underwent the same procedures. Infarct volumes as well as the local inflammatory response were determined during vessel occlusion. Results We show that blocking of the platelet adhesion receptor, glycoprotein (GP) Ibα in mice, delays cerebral infarct progression already during occlusion and thus before recanalization/reperfusion. This therapeutic effect was accompanied by decreased T-cell infiltration, particularly at the infarct border zone, which during occlusion is supplied by collateral blood flow. Accordingly, mice lacking T-cells were likewise protected from infarct progression under occlusion. Conclusions Progressive brain infarction can be delayed by blocking detrimental lymphocyte/platelet responses already during occlusion paving the way for ultra-early treatment strategies in hyper-acute stroke before recanalization.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuhmannGuthmannStolletal.2017, author = {Schuhmann, Michael K. and Guthmann, Josua and Stoll, Guido and Nieswandt, Bernhard and Kraft, Peter and Kleinschnitz, Christoph}, title = {Blocking of platelet glycoprotein receptor Ib reduces "thrombo-inflammation" in mice with acute ischemic stroke}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {18}, doi = {10.1186/s12974-017-0792-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157582}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Ischemic stroke causes a strong inflammatory response that includes T cells, monocytes/macrophages, and neutrophils. Interaction of these immune cells with platelets and endothelial cells facilitates microvascular dysfunction and leads to secondary infarct growth. We recently showed that blocking of platelet glycoprotein (GP) receptor Ib improves stroke outcome without increasing the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Until now, it has been unclear whether GPIb only mediates thrombus formation or also contributes to the pathophysiology of local inflammation. Methods: Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in C57BL/6 mice by a 60-min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Animals were treated with antigen-binding fragments (Fab) against the platelet surface molecules GPIb (p0p/B Fab). Rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fab was used as control treatment. Stroke outcome, including infarct size and functional deficits as well as the local inflammatory response, was assessed on day 1 after tMCAO. Results: Blocking of GPIb reduced stroke size and improved functional outcome on day 1 after tMCAO without increasing the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. As expected, disruption of GPIb-mediated pathways in platelets significantly reduced thrombus burden in the cerebral microvasculature. In addition, inhibition of GPIb limited the local inflammatory response in the ischemic brain as indicated by lower numbers of infiltrating T cells and macrophages and lower expression levels of inflammatory cytokines compared with rat IgG Fab-treated controls. Conclusion: In acute ischemic stroke, thrombus formation and inflammation are closely intertwined ("thrombo-inflammation"). Blocking of platelet GPIb can ameliorate thrombo-inflammation.}, language = {en} }