Effect of experimental stroke on meningeal gene expression and the influence of mast cells on these gene changes

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and death. Inflammation plays an important role in stroke pathology, but the factors which promote brain inflammation in this setting remain to be fully defined. Here we investigate the meninges, the membranes that envelop the brain, for a potential role in modulating immune cell trafficking to the brain. We also investigate the potential of mast cells (MCs) to modulate this response as MCs are often considered as 'first responders' playing a critical role in the initiation and development of inflammation in many disease settings. We find that stroke increases expression of inflammatory and immune response genes in the meninges in mice consistent with a potential role in modulating immune cell trafficking. Moreover, genetic and cell transfer approaches identify MCs as important modulators of this response.

18

Arac A, Grimbaldeston MA, Nepomuceno AR, Olayiwola O, Pereira MP, Nishiyama Y, Tsykin A, Goodall GJ, Schlecht U, Vogel H, Tsai M, Galli SJ, Bliss TM, Steinberg GK