DEMONSTRATION OF INCREASED ENDOTHELIAL-LEUKOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULE-1 MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN RAT ISCHEMIC CORTEX

Background and Purpose Leukocyte infiltration from circulating blood into ischemic brain tissue contributes significantly to ischemic injury. The role of adhesion molecules in leukocyte attachment and infiltration in ischemic tissue has been emphasized. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1 or E-selectin) mRNA expression is upregulated in focal brain ischemia. Methods Northern blot analysis with the use of poly(A) RNA isolated from the ischemic and nonischemic rat cortex at 2 and 12 hours after permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (PMCAO) was used to examine ELAM-1 mRNA expression. The temporal expression profile of ELAM-1 mRNA in the ischemic cortex was further evaluated with the use of a quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction technique. Results A very low level of ELAM-1 mRNA was detected in the sham-operated cortex or in the nonischemic cortex. The expression of ELAM-1 mRNA in the focal ischemic cortex was significantly induced by PMCAO, reaching a peak level at 12 hours (6.9-fold increase compared with sham surgery cortical samples, P<.01) and remained elevated for up to 2 days (3.3-fold increase, P<.01) after PMCAO. Conclusions The demonstration of upregulated ELAM-1 mRNA expression after focal stroke suggests that ELAM-1 may play an important role in leukocyte infiltration into the ischemic brain and that ELAM-1 may provide a potential therapeutic target in ischemic stroke. However, the demonstration of translated ELAM-1 and its cellular localization in the ischemic tissue is required when specific antibodies become available.