Effect on gene expression of therapeutic hypothermia in cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Therapeutic hypothermia has gained considerable interest, given that it appears to improve neurological outcomes in patients who have suffered cardiac arrest. In spite of its remarkable beneficial effect, the mechanism of protection by brain cooling is still unclear. Hypothermia is known to alter gene expression; thus, gene profiling may help to identify relevant mechanisms of neuroprotection. Recent studies have demonstrated that brain ischemia-induced gene expression is modulated by hypothermia, but the mechanism of hypothermic gene regulation is quite diverse. Hypothermia can alter transcription factors, leading to changes in gene and protein expression. Enhanced or reduced mRNA stability can also influence gene transcription. This review will summarize reports of altered gene expression following hypothermic treatment in brain ischemia.

Keywords: :

• brain
• gene expression
• hypothermia
• neuroprotection
• stroke

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH NINDS R01 NS 40516 (MAY), AHA Established Investigator Award #0540066N (MAY) and the Regional Technology Innovation Program of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) RTI04–01–01 (HSH) & Brain Korea 21 Project in 2006 (HSH).