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Collateral growth and angiogenesis around cortical stroke.
L Wei1, J P Erinjeri, C M Rovainen
1Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. weil@neuro.wustl.edu
Stroke
|September 8, 2001
Summary
Following a ministroke, significant collateral growth and new capillaries develop in the brain. These vascular changes in the ischemic border support restored perfusion and may enable long-term functional recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Investigating long-term vascular alterations post-ministroke.
- Examining the potential for functional recovery through vascular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis of significant long-term local vascular changes after ministroke.
- To determine if these changes form a basis for functional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Inducing ministroke by ligating middle cerebral artery (MCA) branches in rats.
- Measuring fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) transit and vessel changes via videomicroscopy.
- Assessing angiogenesis using 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Immediate disappearance of intrinsic optical signal post-MCA ligation.
- Identification of perfusion zones: unchanged, reduced (ischemic border), and core.
- Significant growth of surface collaterals and angiogenesis confined to the ischemic border at 30 days.
- Restored perfusion in the ischemic border with shortened arteriocapillary latencies.
Conclusions:
- Arteriolar collateral growth and new capillaries are key vascular changes after ministroke.
- These vascular adaptations support restored perfusion in the ischemic border.
- The observed vascular changes may provide a basis for long-term functional recovery.