Neuroprotective effects of lentivirus‐mediated aquaporin‐4 gene silencing in rat model of traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common clinical condition caused by external force. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in astrocytes participates in the generation of cell swelling in TBI.

Methods

This research explored the effect of AQP4 gene silencing in a TBI rat model. A hydraulic craniocerebral trauma instrument was employed for establishing the TBI rat model. AQP4 expression in the brain was inhibited by the injection of AQP4 shRNA-lentiviral vector. The expression of relative genes was evaluated by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Neuronal apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL assay.

Results

AQP4 shRNA treatment inhibited AQP4 expression in the brain of rats with TBI. AQP4 shRNA alleviated TBI-induced brain edema and neurological deficit in rats. Neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte activation in TBI rats were reduced by AQP4 silencing.

Conclusion

This research demonstrated that AQP4 shRNA-induced silencing of AQP4 in the TBI rat model reduced the expression of AQP4 and GFAP, alleviated brain edema, neurological deficit, neuronal apoptosis and inhibited astrocyte activation.

KEYWORDS:

• Aquaporin-4
• shRNA
• rat
• traumatic brain injury

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the natural science foundation of hebei province, China [H2018206325 and H2020206543].

Notes on contributors

Bo Li

Bo Li, M.D, Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Dong Zhimen Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. graduated from Guizhou Medical University. [email protected], 13833119318

Meiping Wei

Meiping Wei, M.D. Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China, Graduated from Guizhou Medical University. [email protected], 15931150642

Xiangdong Wan

Xiangdong Wan, M.D. graduated from Hebei Medical University [email protected],18772953632

Zeshang Chen

Zeshang Chen, M.D. Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China, graduated from Hebei Medical University [email protected], 15630115116

Minghao Liu

Minghao Liu, M.D. Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China, graduated from Hebei Medical University. [email protected], 18516189540

Zhenzeng Fan

Zhenzeng Fan, M.D., PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China, graduated from Hebei Medical University [email protected], 18803110120

Lijun Yang

Lijun Yang, M.D., PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China, graduated from Hebei Medical University. [email protected], 17733881678