Targeting the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant defence pathway for neurovascular protection in stroke

TY - JOUR

T1 - Targeting the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant defence pathway for neurovascular protection in stroke

AU - Alfieri, Alessio

AU - Srivastava, Salil

AU - Siow, Richard C M

AU - Modo, Michel

AU - Fraser, Paul A

AU - Mann, Giovanni E

PY - 2011/9/1

Y1 - 2011/9/1

N2 - Endogenous defence mechanisms by which the brain protects itself against noxious stimuli and recovers from ischaemic damage are a key target of stroke research. The loss of viable brain tissue in the ischaemic core region after stroke is associated with damage to the surrounding area known as the penumbra. Activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a pivotal role in the cellular defence against oxidative stress via transcriptional upregulation of phase II defence enzymes and antioxidant stress proteins. Although recent evidence implicates Nrf2 in neuroprotection, it is not known whether activation of this pathway within the neurovascular unit protects the brain against blood-brain barrier breakdown and cerebrovascular inflammation. Targeting the neurovascular unit should provide novel insights for effective treatment strategies and facilitate translation of experimental findings into clinical therapy. This review focuses on the cytoprotective role of Nrf2 in stroke and examines the evidence that the Nrf2-Keap1 defence pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for neurovascular protection.

AB - Endogenous defence mechanisms by which the brain protects itself against noxious stimuli and recovers from ischaemic damage are a key target of stroke research. The loss of viable brain tissue in the ischaemic core region after stroke is associated with damage to the surrounding area known as the penumbra. Activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a pivotal role in the cellular defence against oxidative stress via transcriptional upregulation of phase II defence enzymes and antioxidant stress proteins. Although recent evidence implicates Nrf2 in neuroprotection, it is not known whether activation of this pathway within the neurovascular unit protects the brain against blood-brain barrier breakdown and cerebrovascular inflammation. Targeting the neurovascular unit should provide novel insights for effective treatment strategies and facilitate translation of experimental findings into clinical therapy. This review focuses on the cytoprotective role of Nrf2 in stroke and examines the evidence that the Nrf2-Keap1 defence pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for neurovascular protection.

U2 - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.210294

DO - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.210294

M3 - Article

C2 - 21646410

SN - 0022-3751

VL - 589

SP - 4125

EP - 4136

JO - The Journal of physiology

JF - The Journal of physiology

IS - 17

ER -