Ischemic stroke in PAR1 KO mice: Decreased brain plasmin and thrombin activity along with decreased infarct volume

Efrat Shavit-Stein, Ekaterina Mindel, Shany Guly Gofrit, Joab Chapman, Nicola Maggio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Ischemic stroke is a common and debilitating disease with limited treatment options. Protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is a fundamental cell signaling mediator in the central nervous system (CNS). It can be activated by many proteases including thrombin and plasmin, with various down-stream effects, following brain ischemia. Methods A permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAo) model was used in PAR1 KO and WT C57BL/6J male mice. Mice were evaluated for neurological deficits (neurological severity score, NSS), infarct volume (Tetrazolium Chloride, TTC), and for plasmin and thrombin activity in brain slices. Results Significantly low levels of plasmin and thrombin activities were found in PAR1 KO compared to WT (1.6±0.4 vs. 3.2±0.6 ng/μl, p<0.05 and 17.2±1.0 vs. 21.2±1.0 mu/ml, p<0.01, respectively) along with a decreased infarct volume (178.9±14.3, 134.4±13.3 mm3, p<0.05). Conclusions PAR1 KO mice have smaller infarcts, with lower thrombin and plasmin activity levels. These findings may suggest that modulation of PAR1 is a potential target for future pharmacological treatment of ischemic stroke.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0248431
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume16
Issue number3 March
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2021
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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