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Pericytes Are Not Associated With Reduced Capillary Perfusion After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Julian Schwarting1,2, Katrin Nehrkorn1,3, Biyan Nathanael Harapan1,4
1Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (J.S., K.N., B.N.H., M.B., N.T., N.P.), Munich University Hospital, Germany.
Stroke
|June 29, 2023
Summary
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes reduced cerebral blood flow. However, pericytes do not appear to cause capillary constriction after SAH, suggesting other mechanisms are responsible for perfusion deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) leads to reduced cerebral blood flow and cortical infarcts.
- The precise mechanisms driving these perfusion deficits remain unclear.
- Pericytes' role in regulating capillary blood flow suggests their involvement in SAH pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of pericytes in cerebral blood flow reduction following SAH.
- To determine if pericyte-mediated capillary constriction contributes to perfusion deficits in SAH.
Main Methods:
- In vivo imaging of pericytes and microvessels using NG2 reporter mice and 2-photon microscopy.
- Induction of SAH via middle cerebral artery perforation.
- Assessment of pericyte density and capillary constriction 24 hours post-SAH.
Main Results:
- SAH induced pearl-string-like constrictions in pial arterioles.
- Blood flow velocity in pial arterioles decreased by 50%.
- Intraparenchymal arteriole and capillary volume reduced by up to 70%.
Conclusions:
- Pericyte density remained unchanged after SAH.
- No evidence of pericyte-induced capillary constriction was observed.
- Perfusion deficits following SAH are not mediated by pericytes.
