Effect of glutamine treatment on human brain microvascular endothelial cells
We found glutamine levels were positively associated with a greater risk of stroke. After treatment with glutamine, HBMECs exhibited enhanced proliferation, migration, and EndMT, all reversed by ITGB4 knockdown. In ITGB4-transfected HBMECs, the MAPK-ERK-TGF-ß/BMP pathway was activated, with Smad4 knockdown reversing the EndMT. Furthermore, atorvastatin suppressed the EndMT by inhibiting Smad1/5 phosphorylation and promoting Smad4 ubiquitination in ITGB4-transfected HBMECs. Finally, ITGB4 upregulation was confirmed in the superficial temporal arteries of patients with moyamoya. Overall design: To investigate the effect of glutamine on human brain microvascular endothelial cells, we treat cells with glutamine at a concentration of 20 mM.