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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Sex Differences in Mouse Hippocampal Astrocytes after In-Vitro Ischemia
Published on: October 25, 2016
Mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA expression is increased in human hippocampus following brief cerebral ischaemia
1Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. m.lai@ed.ac.uk
Background:
We have previously reported that neuronal endangerment in vitro and hypothermic transient global ischaemia in vivo each result in increased mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression. In both models MR induction is associated with increased neuronal survival, and blocking MR signalling reduces neuronal survival. Furthermore, transgenic overexpression of human MR promotes neuronal survival both in vitro and in vivo.
Aims:
Here we have assessed whether brief periods of cerebral ischaemia in human subjects, such as occurs in cardiac arrest from which successful resuscitation is achieved, are associated with a sustained increase in hippocampal MR mRNA expression.
Methods:
Human post-mortem brain sections from patients who had died in the weeks following cardiac arrest were analysed for MR mRNA expression by in situ hybridization.
Results:
Sustained upregulation of MR mRNA expression was observed in the dentate gyrus region of human hippocampus following a brief episode of cerebral ischaemia.
Conclusions:
This confirms that MR mRNA expression is regulated following neuronal injury in human brain, and suggests that the benefits of increased MR expression seen in animal models of ischaemia may also be observed in humans.
Insights
Following cardiac arrest, the brain shows increased mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA in the hippocampus. This suggests MR may aid neuronal survival in humans after ischemic injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Neuronal injury models show increased mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression, correlating with enhanced neuronal survival.
- Blocking MR signaling reduces neuronal survival, while its overexpression promotes it.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sustained hippocampal MR mRNA expression following cerebral ischemia in human subjects after cardiac arrest.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of post-mortem human brain sections using in situ hybridization.
- Quantification of MR mRNA expression in hippocampal regions.
Main Results:
- Sustained upregulation of MR mRNA expression was observed in the dentate gyrus of the human hippocampus.
- This upregulation occurred after a brief episode of cerebral ischemia.
Conclusions:
- Confirms regulation of MR mRNA expression following neuronal injury in the human brain.
- Suggests potential therapeutic benefits of increased MR expression in human ischemic conditions, mirroring animal model findings.
