Divergent role for MMP-2 in myelin breakdown and oligodendrocyte death following transient global ischemia.
Transient global ischemia causes delayed white matter injury to the brain with oligodendrocyte (OLG) death and myelin breakdown. There is increasing evidence that hypoxia may be involved in several diseases of the white matter, including multiple sclerosis, vascular dementia, and ischemia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are increased in rat and mouse models of hypoxic hypoperfusion and have been associated with OLG death. However, whether the MMPs act on myelin or OLGs remains unresolved. We hypothesized that delayed expression of MMPs caused OLG death and myelin breakdown. To test the hypothesis, adult mice underwent hypoxic hypoperfusion with transient bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. After 3 days of reperfusion, ischemic white matter had increased reactivity of astrocytes and microglia, MMP-2 localization in astrocytes, and increased protein expression and activity of MMP-2. In addition, there was a significant loss of myelin basic protein (MBP) by Western blot and caspase-3- mediated OLG death. Treatment with the broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, BB-94, significantly decreased astrocyte reactivity and MMP-2 activity. More importantly, it reduced MBP breakdown. However, MMP inhibition had no effect on OLG loss. Our results implicate MMPs released by reactive astrocytes in delayed myelin degradation, while OLG death occurs by an MMP-independent mechanism. We propose that MMP-mediated myelin loss is important in hypoxic injury to the white matter.
Walker
Espen J
EJ
Departments of Neurology, Neurosciences, and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Rosenberg
Gary A
GA
D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D013876:Thiophenes; D010649:Phenylalanine; C080985:batimastat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2