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Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases
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Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 10274

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Aurel Popa-Wagner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Neurology, Chair of Vascular Neurology and Dementia, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
2. Center for Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: genomics; proteomics; brain; epilepsy; aging; neurogenesis; stroke; behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite recent progress, a large majority of ischemic stroke patients still exhibit neurological deficits in the long term, and ischemic stroke continues to be the most frequent cause of long-term disability. Nanosized small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) prepared from mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) supernatants have previously been shown to promote neurological recovery and brain remodeling in ischemic stroke models. sEV-based therapies are not self-replicating and lack endogenous tumor formation potential, and therefore are rapidly approaching clinical trials in human stroke patients. Vascular risk factors associated with ageing (e.g., hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus) represent a major challenge in stroke therapies; they exacerbate inflammatory responses in the brain and compromise recovery. In previous work we have shown that MSC-sEVs efficaciously reversed the post-ischemic responses of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), monocytes/macrophages, T cells and B cells in the peripheral blood and/or brain, indicating an immunomodulatory effect of MSC-sEVs that might confer their therapeutic activity. Using nanosizing EVs through colloidal engineering, in-depth cell biological characterization, in vitro and in vivo models, confocal and two-photon microscopy, transcriptomics and behavioral analysis, we would like to (a) comprehensively characterize immune signals mediating recovery-promoting effects of MSC-sEVs in the ischemic brain, (b) evaluate the consequences of age and age-associated vascular risk factors (i.e., diabetes, hyperlipidemia) for post-ischemic immune responses and the recovery-promoting effects of MSC-sEVs, and (c) examine the role of peripheral blood-derived PMNs and microglial cells in MSC-sEV-induced neurological recovery. By providing efficacy data in the aged ischemic brain exhibiting vascular risk factors, we hope to enable an in-depth estimate of the therapeutic efficacy of MSC-derived sEVs in human stroke patients.

In this Research Topic, we will focus on both the advances in endovascular treatment for cerebrovascular diseases and periprocedural complications. Moreover, we would like to accept the studies on the pathology, advanced diagnostic methods, mechanisms and new insight of treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, including hemorrhagic and ischemic diseases.

Therefore, areas of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

  • The role of glial cells in stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Recent advances in basic research in stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Potential therapeutic drug targets or strategies in stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Acute phase treatment and long-term recovery after stroke.
  • Glial -neuronal interactions after stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.

Prof. Dr. Aurel Popa-Wagner
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ischemic stroke
  • stroke
  • cerebrovascular diseases
  • age-associated vascular risk
  • aged ischemic brain

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 18991 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Versus Dapagliflozin in a Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model
by Georgică Târtea, Aurel Popa-Wagner, Veronica Sfredel, Smaranda Ioana Mitran, Alexandra Oltea Dan, Anca-Maria Țucă, Alexandra Nicoleta Preda, Victor Raicea, Eugen Țieranu, Dragoș Cozma and Radu Vătășescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042118 - 9 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1282
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with global economic implications that can lead to complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of chitosan versus dapagliflozin in mouse diabetic cardiomyopathy. We used 32 C57Bl/6 male mice [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with global economic implications that can lead to complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of chitosan versus dapagliflozin in mouse diabetic cardiomyopathy. We used 32 C57Bl/6 male mice aged between 8 and 10 weeks, which were randomly divided into Control—without diabetes mellitus (DM), type 1 DM (T1DM), T1DM + Chitosan, and T1DM + Dapapgliflozin groups. We induced diabetes with streptozotocin and treated the animals for 12 weeks. The analysis showed a reduction in intramyocardial fibrosis in the T1DM + Dapapgliflozin compared to T1DM animals. In T1DM + CHIT, a reduction in intramyocardial fibrosis was observed although, accordingly, there was also no significant decrease in blood glucose. The level of oxidative stress was reduced in the groups of treated animals compared to T1DM. All these observed changes in the structure and function of hearts were highlighted in the echocardiographic examination. In the treated groups, there was delayed appearance of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, a slight decrease in the ejection fraction of the LV, and an improved diastolic profile. The results demonstrate that chitosan has promising effects on diabetic cardiomyopathy that are comparable to the beneficial effects of dapagliflozin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases)
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15 pages, 38575 KiB  
Article
Chronic Administration of Ion Channel Blockers Impact Microglia Morphology and Function in a Murine Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
by Ianis Kevyn Stefan Boboc, Alexandru Cojocaru, Gabriel Nedelea, Bogdan Catalin, Maria Bogdan and Daniela Calina
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914474 - 23 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1422
Abstract
As the population ages, a high prevalence of multimorbidity will affect the way physicians need to think about drug interactions. With microglia’s important involvement in the pathology and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), understanding whether systemically administered drugs intended for other affections could [...] Read more.
As the population ages, a high prevalence of multimorbidity will affect the way physicians need to think about drug interactions. With microglia’s important involvement in the pathology and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), understanding whether systemically administered drugs intended for other affections could impact microglia function, already impacted by the presence of beta-amyloid, is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate morphological changes of microglia, using in vivo 2-photon laser scanning microscopy, in a murine model of AD under systemic administration of sodium or calcium ion channel blockers in order to establish potential effects that these drugs might have on microglia under neuro-inflammatory conditions. A total of 30 mice (age 14–16 weeks, weight 20–25 g) were used, with 25 APP randomly divided into three groups. The remaining animals were CX3CR1GFP/GFP male mice (n = 5) used as WT controls. After baseline behavior testing, all animals received daily intraperitoneal injections for 30 days according to the assigned group [WT (n = 5), Control (n = 5), Carbamazepine (n = 10), and Verapamil (n = 10)]. The results showed that the Verapamil treatment improved short-term memory and enhanced exploratory behavior in APP mice. The Carbamazepine treatment also improved short-term memory but did not elicit significant changes in anxiety-related behavior. Both Verapamil and Carbamazepine reduced the surveillance speed of microglia processes and changed microglia morphology in the cortex compared to the Control group. Due to their complex molecular machinery, microglia are potentially affected by drugs that do not target them specifically, and, as such, investigating these interactions could prove beneficial in our management of neurodegenerative pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases)
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Review

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12 pages, 635 KiB  
Review
Bridging the Gap in Cancer-Related Stroke Management: Update on Therapeutic and Preventive Approaches
by Ming-Yee Sun and Sonu M. M. Bhaskar
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7981; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097981 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3391
Abstract
The underlying aetiopathophysiology of cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms differs from that of noncancer-related strokes, which makes treating cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms a distinct clinical challenge. This necessitates the development of novel, individualised diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, limited guidelines are available for the [...] Read more.
The underlying aetiopathophysiology of cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms differs from that of noncancer-related strokes, which makes treating cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms a distinct clinical challenge. This necessitates the development of novel, individualised diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, limited guidelines are available for the management of cancer-related strokes and the prevention of acute strokes or other thromboembolic events in this patient population. In this article, we present an updated overview of the therapeutic and preventive strategies for strokes in cancer settings. These strategies include acute reperfusion therapy, anticoagulant therapy, antiplatelet therapy, and lifestyle management options. We also outline comprehensive pathways and highlight gaps in the evidence-based clinical management of cancer-related strokes or thromboembolisms. Additionally, future recommendations for the management of strokes in cancer patients are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases)
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15 pages, 744 KiB  
Review
Induced Coma, Death, and Organ Transplantation: A Physiologic, Genetic, and Theological Perspective
by Cezar-Ivan Coliță, Denissa-Greta Olaru, Daniela Coliță, Dirk M. Hermann, Eugen Coliță, Daniela Glavan and Aurel Popa-Wagner
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5744; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065744 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3321
Abstract
In the clinic, the death certificate is issued if brain electrical activity is no longer detectable. However, recent research has shown that in model organisms and humans, gene activity continues for at least 96 h postmortem. The discovery that many genes are still [...] Read more.
In the clinic, the death certificate is issued if brain electrical activity is no longer detectable. However, recent research has shown that in model organisms and humans, gene activity continues for at least 96 h postmortem. The discovery that many genes are still working up to 48 h after death questions our definition of death and has implications for organ transplants and forensics. If genes can be active up to 48 h after death, is the person technically still alive at that point? We discovered a very interesting parallel between genes that were upregulated in the brain after death and genes upregulated in the brains that were subjected to medically-induced coma, including transcripts involved in neurotransmission, proteasomal degradation, apoptosis, inflammation, and most interestingly, cancer. Since these genes are involved in cellular proliferation, their activation after death could represent the cellular reaction to escape mortality and raises the question of organ viability and genetics used for transplantation after death. One factor limiting the organ availability for transplantation is religious belief. However, more recently, organ donation for the benefit of humans in need has been seen as “posthumous giving of organs and tissues can be a manifestation of love spreading also to the other side of death”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain-Body Bidirectional Communication and Its Relevance for Cerebrovascular Diseases)
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