Pericyte Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke: Potential and Prospects

Ischemic stroke (IS) has a high mortality rate. Multiplexed detection of IS core biomarkers is of great significance to early diagnosis and personalized treatment of IS patients. Whether pericytes, a key component of the neurovascular unit and blood-brain barrier located on the capillary wall, could serve as a promising biomarker for IS is to be explored. Herein, we observed a significant upregulation of inflammatory and apoptotic factors, such as MMP9, in pericytes subjected to in vitro ischemia. By transfecting pericytes with ASK1-shRNA to inhibit ASK1 expression, we noted reduced levels of inflammatory and apoptotic markers, including MMP9, as well as enhanced pericyte contraction and migration, thereby preserving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, ELISA assays conducted using plasma samples from patients with varying NIHSS scores revealed statistically significant concentrations of PDGFRβ and MMP9. Furthermore, we developed a highly sensitive and specific quantitative detection method for PDGFRβ and MMP9 based on fluorescence sensor technology. This novel detector exhibits high sensitivity, repeatability, and stability, enabling precise dual detection. Thus, the results suggest the great potential of the detection of PDGFRβ and MMP9 for early diagnosis of IS and prognosis prediction of the disease.