Proteomic changes in intracranial blood during human ischemic stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Proteomics
• Ischemic Stroke Research

Background:

• Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard for emergent large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke since 2015.
• Understanding the molecular differences within the cerebrovascular system during stroke is crucial for improving treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare protein expression in intracranial blood versus systemic arterial blood in ischemic stroke patients.
• To identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for stroke by analyzing proteomic differences.

Main Methods:

• Proteomic analysis of plasma samples from 25 ischemic stroke subjects.
• Comparison of protein expression levels between intracranial and systemic arterial blood.
• Inclusion of clinical data such as sex, comorbidities, infarct volume, and time.

Main Results:

• A majority of analyzed proteins exhibited lower expression in intracranial blood compared to systemic blood.
• Significant downregulations observed in proteins including endopeptidase, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), uromodulin (UMOD), ficolin-2 (FCN2), and various chemokines (CCL19, CCL20, CCL23).

Conclusions:

• Proteomic alterations in intracranial blood suggest roles for proteins like PLTP, fetuin-B (FETUB), and FCN2 in atherosclerotic processes.
• Chemokines such as CCL23 may be involved in the Th2 autoimmune response within the stroke environment.
• These findings provide a basis for developing diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and neuroprotective/neuroreparative therapies for ischemic stroke.