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Introduction

In recent years, acute ischemic cerebral injury has become a kind of disease with an extremely high incidence rate and poor prognosis, and for some severe conditions, it can even be life-threatening (1). Generally, it is originated from the cerebral thrombosis and embolism, and, after onset of ischemia, timely recovery of blood supply is critical to the reduction of apoptosis in neurons and repair of neurological functions. Ischemic angiogenesis is closely related to the progression and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases. However, current treatment method for acute ischemic cerebral injury requires further research and development (2–4).

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), as a member of hematopoietic growth factor family, can promote the proliferation, differentiation and survival of hematopoietic stem cells with the obvious protective effect on neurons in peripheral and central nerve system (5). In the present study, we aimed to establish the models of acute ischemic cerebral injury in rats to investigate the changes in early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cerebral tissues after intervention with G-CSF, thereby exploring the potential mechanism of G-CSF in protecting nerves, and providing new pathways for clinical treatment of acute ischemic cerebral injury.

Materials and methods

Materials

Experiment animals and grouping

After Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (180–220 g) were acclimatized to the environment, they were randomly divided into the sham group (n=10), the model group (n=10) and the G-CSF group (100 µg/kg, n=10). G-CSF was given through neck subcutaneous injection once per day for 7 consecutive days. Subsequently, access of food to rats was forbidden for 12 h but they had free access to water. The rats were kept in cage with controlled temperature and light cycles (24°C and 12/12 light cycles). Longas method was applied to establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion models in rats. The humidity was 60±10%. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Torch Development Zone Hospital (Zhongshan, China).

Major reagents

TRIzol extraction kit for total RNA (Tiangen, Co., Ltd., Beijing, China); real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit for reverse transcription (Tiangen); bicinchoninic acid (BCA) kit for protein quantification (Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology, Shanghai, China); extraction kit for total protein (Nanjing KeyGen Biotech, Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China); immunopreticipation (IP) lysis kit (Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit (Nanjing Jiancheng Biotech Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China); primary anti-glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Egr-1 monoclonal antibodies and the relevant secondary antibodies (Cell Signaling Technology, Boston, MA, USA) and VEGF monoclonal antibody (ProteinTech Group, Inc., Wuhan, China) were used in the present study.

Experiment methods

Measurement of the volume of cerebral infarction and relevant indicators

After rats in each group were anesthetized, they were immediately sacrificed and brain tissue was removed. Samples were then stained for 30 min at 37°C in the dark in 1% triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), and then fixed in 10% formaldehyde. The infarction area in each layer was then calculated, and LDH content in brain tissues in the three groups was assayed in accordance with the LDH kit.

Histopathological examination

Brain tissues in each group were embedded in paraffin to prepare the paraffin samples which were later sliced into sections of 5 µm. After hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, the sections were placed under a microscope (×100) (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) for histopathological observation.

Immunofluorescence analysis

Paraffin sections of brain tissues were collected from each group, and, after dewaxing with xylene and dehydration using alcohol of gradient concentration, the antigen retrieval was carried out. Sections were then rinsed with 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) 3 times (5 min/time), and blocked in a wet box containing 10% bull serum albumin (BSA) for 30 min. Subsequently, on sections, fluorescence-labeled antibodies that were diluted appropriately (1:70) were placed in the wet box and the sections were then incubated at 4°C overnight. After sections were rinsed with PBS (pH 7.4) 3 times, fluorescent secondary antibodies (1:100) were added onto the sections in the dark, and placed in the wet box for incubation for 2 h at 37°C. The sections were then observed and photographed under the fluorescent microscopes (Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

RT-PCR analysis

Brain tissues that were collected from each group were rapidly transferred to the Eppendorf (EP) tubes containing RNAiso Plus extraction solution and placed at room temperature for 5 min for sufficient lysis. After centrifugation at 12,000 × g and 4°C for 5 min, the supernatant was well mixed with 0.2 ml chloroform and placed at room temperature for 5 min. The solution was centrifuged again at 12,000 × g and 4°C for 15 min, and, isopropanol of the same volume was added and well mixed to the supernatant. After being placed at room temperature for 10 min, it was centrifuged at 12,000 × g and 4°C for 10 min, and sediment was preserved while the supernatant was discarded. In the sediment, 1 ml 75% alcohol was added and mixed well followed by centrifugation at 12,000 × g and 4°C for 5 min, which was repeated once after the supernatant was then removed. After RNA sediment was fully removed through rinsing, the liquid was replaced with RNase-free water. Some of the total RNA solution was extracted and diluted with RNase-free water to a concentration of 1 µg/µl. In accordance with the requirement of the PrimeScript® RT reagent kit with gDNA Eraser, reaction solution for reverse transcription was prepared, and cDNA was obtained through reverse transcription with the RNA samples and preserved at −20°C. Thereafter, according to the instruction of SYBR® Premix Ex Taq™ II (Tli RNaseH Plus), we detected the level of mRNA expression. The relevant RNA primer sequences used in this procedure are shown in Table I.

Table I. Primer sequences of relevant genes in RT-PCR analysis.

Table I.

Primer sequences of relevant genes in RT-PCR analysis.

Gene name	Primer sequence
Egr-1	5′-3′ TCGGCTCCTTTCCTCACTCA
	3′-5′ CTCATAGGGTTGTTCGCTCGG
VEGF	5′-3′ ATGGCAGAAGGAGGAGGG
	3′-5′ CGAAACGCTGAGGGAGGCT
β-actin	5′-3′ GAGCCGGGAAATCGTGCGT
	3′-5′ GGAAGGAAGGCTGGAAGATG

Western blotting assay

Brain tissues collected from all the groups were rinsed with icy normal saline followed by measurement of protein concentration with BCA kit and preservation at −80°C for later use. According to the instructions of total protein extraction kit, the IP lysis buffer supplemented with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and protease inhibitor was added in the tissues which were later ground on ice. Tissue samples were then centrifuged at 4°C and 12,000 × g for 10 min of homogenization, and the supernatant was taken for centrifugation at 4°C and 12,000 × g for 20 min. With the supernatant, protein samples containing the same content of total protein, after protein quantification according to the relevant kit instruction, were loaded in the sampling holes for electrophoresis under a constant voltage of 220 V. Electrophoresis was stopped until the bromophenol blue reached the bottom of gel. Based on the molecular weight of targeting proteins, gel was trimmed and placed in the transfer buffer. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane was also trimmed in accordance with the size of the gel, and then soaked in methanol for 10 sec. The PVDF membrane and filter paper were placed in the transfer buffer, and later, those materials were all placed in the transfer machine in the following sequence: positive electrode, filter paper, PVDF membrane, gel, filter paper and negative electrode. Membrane transfer was then carried out under a constant voltage of 110 V for appropriate time until the protein on the gel was transferred on the PVDF membrane. Thereafter, PVDF membrane with protein was blocked in 5% skimmed milk on a shaker for 3 h, and the rabbit anti-rat Egr-1, and GAPDH monoclonal antibodies (1:1,000; cat. nos. 4154 and 2118), rabbit anti-rat VEGF monoclonal antibody (1:1,000; cat. no. 19003-1-AP) was added on the membrane for incubation at 4°C overnight. The next day, membrane was sufficiently washed by Tween-20 + Tris-buffer saline (TTBS) 3 times (10 min/time), and then incubated with goat anti-rabbit secondary polyclonal antibody (1:2,000; cat. no. 7074) for 1 h at room temperature. Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent was added for color development and photographing after the membrane was washed with TTBS 3 times (10 min/time).

Statistical analysis

Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 17.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was applied in statistical analysis, and experiment data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Data analysis was carried out through analysis of variance and the post hoc test was LSD test for multiple comparisons or t-test for intergroup comparisons. P<0.05 suggested that the difference had statistical significance.

Results

Effect of G-CSF on the volume of cerebral infarction and LDH content in brain tissues in rats

As shown in Fig. 1 in comparison with the sham group, the volume of cerebral infarction in rats of the model group was significantly enlarged. By contrast, compared with the model group, a significant decrease was identified in the volume of cerebral infarction in rats of the G-CSF group. In addition, G-CSF could reduce the level of LDH in brain tissues significantly.

Figure 1. Effect of G-CSF on the volume of cerebral infarction and LDH content in brain tissues in rats. In comparison with the sham group, the volume of cerebral infarction in rats of the model group is significantly enlarged (##P<0.01). By contrast, compared with the model group, a significant decrease is identified in the volume of cerebral infarction in rats of the G-CSF group (**P<0.01).

Effect of G-CSF on the histopathological examination of rats with acute ischemic cerebral injury

The H&E staining results of histopathological examination of brain tissues are shown in Fig. 2. In the sham group, the brain structure of rats appeared to be integral, while rats in the model group manifested massive necrotic cells, and destructed molecular structures. Compared with the model group, we found that the necrotic area was reduced in the G-CSF group, suggesting the cerebral injury was ameliorated.

Figure 2. H&E staining results of the effect of G-CSF on MCAO rats (magnification, ×100).

Immunofluorescent staining results of Egr-1 and VEGF

The immunofluorescence analysis revealed that compared with the sham group, the protein expressions of Egr-1 and VEGF in brain tissues of rats in the model group were reduced significantly, while those in the G-CSF group were increased evidently (P<0.01) (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Immunofluorescence staining results of the effect of G-CSF on the expressions of Egr-1 and VEGF of MCAO rats (magnification, ×100).

RT-PCR results of the effect of G-CSF on mRNA expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in MCAO rats

As shown in Fig. 4, the RT-PCR results revealed that compared with the sham group, the mRNA expressions of Egr-1 and VEGF in brain tissues of rats in the model group were reduced significantly. By contrast, in comparison with the model group, the mRNA expression of Egr-1 and VEGF was increased significantly in brain tissues of rats in the G-CSF group.

Figure 4. RT-PCR results of the effect of G-CSF on mRNA expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in MCAO rats. Compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in brain tissues of rats in the model group are significantly reduced (##P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of Egr-1 and VEGF are increased significantly in brain tissues of rats in the G-CSF group (**P<0.01).

Western blot analysis results of the effect of G-CSF on the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in MCAO rats

In Fig. 5, the western blot analysis revealed that in comparison with the sham group, protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in the brain tissues of rats in the model group was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in brain tissues of rats in the G-CSF group was significantly elevated. This result confirmed that G-CSF can ameliorate the acute ischemic cerebral injury by regulating the expressions of Egr-1 and VEGF.

Figure 5. Western blot analysis results of the effect of G-CSF on the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in MCAO rats. In comparison with the sham group, the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in the brain tissues of rats in the model group are significantly reduced (##P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in brain tissues of rats in the G-CSF group are significantly elevated (**P<0.01).

Discussion

Acute ischemic cerebral injury has gradually become a global killer with characteristics including high incidence rate, high mortality rate and high morbidity rate (6,7). Cerebral ischemia can damage the brain cells, and once the blood perfusion is recovered, ischemic injury is further aggravated, known as cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (8–10). Pathogenesis leading to acute ischemic cerebral injury remains elusive, which makes the search for effective, reliable and feasible treatment methods for this disease more urgent. In recent years, G-CSF has gained more and more attention of researchers for its special effect (11).

G-CSF, as a kind of cytokine in hematopoietic stem cells, can promote the survival, proliferation and maturity of neutrophilic cell lines. G-CSF exists mostly in the bone marrow stem cell of patients (12–14). Previous findings have shown that G-CSF has a promising protective effect on nerves, and it can promote angiogenesis and exert an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating varying molecular mechanisms, such as mobilizing the generation of hematopoietic stem cells, inhibiting their apoptosis, facilitating the differentiation of neurons and antagonizing the inflammatory responses (15–18). Previous findings have shown that Egr-1 and VEGF have key roles in the regulation of growth and development of vessels, and are also critical to ischemic diseases. Additionally, they can facilitate the migration of hematopoietic stem cells with protective effects on nerves (19,20).

In this study, male SD rats used as subjects, were divided the sham, model and G-CSF groups to measure the effect of G-CSF on the volume of cerebral infarction and level of LDH in rats. The H&E staining method was performed for histopathological examination. Through RT-PCR and western blot analysis, we detected the mRNA and protein expressions of Egr-1 and VEGF in different groups. Furthermore, SPSS 17.0 software was applied to detect the differences in expression of Egr-1 and VEGF between the two groups. Results showed that compared with the sham group, the volume of cerebral infarction and LDH content in the model group were significantly elevated, whereas in the model group, those indicators in the G-CSF group were obviously decreased. H&E staining results also showed that G-CSF could decrease the necrotic area in cerebral infarction and the incidence of inflammation, and sustain the integrity of molecular structure. Immunofluorescence staining results revealed that the protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in the model group were all significantly decreased, while those in the G-CSF group were significantly elevated. RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of Egr-1 and VEGF in the model group was decreased obviously, but those in the G-CSF group were elevated significantly.

Taken together, G-CSF manifests a significant protective effect on acute ischemic cerebral injury, which is generated through its impact on the expression of Egr-1 and VEGF. The results of this study are expected to provide new therapeutic procedures for treatment of acute ischemic cerebral injury, and other effects of G-CSF on acute ischemic cerebral injury require more in-depth studies.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors' contributions

DGZ measured the volume of cerebral infarction and relevant indicators. YHS helped with histopathological examination. DGZ and YQC were reponsible for immunofluorescence, analysis and PCR. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Torch Development Zone Hospital (Zhongshan, China).

Patient consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References