GPR30 alleviated subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction by activating the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in the development and outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study focuses on the potential mechanism by which G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30) affects the BBB after SAH. A rat SAH model was established using an intravascular perforation approach. G1 (GPR30 agonist) was administered to investigate the mechanism of BBB damage after SAH. Brain water content, Western blotting, Evans blue leakage, and immunofluorescence staining were performed. Brain microvascular endothelial cells were induced by hemin to establish SAH model in vitro. By adding LY294002 a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) blocker and zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) a heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) antagonist, the mechanism of improving BBB integrity through the activation of GPR30 was studied. In vivo, GPR30 activation improved BBB disruption, as evidenced by decreased cerebral edema, downregulated albumin expression, and reduced extravasation of Evans blue and IgG after G1 administration in SAH rats. Moreover, SAH downregulated the levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins, whereas treatment with G1 reversed the effect of SAH. The protective effect of G1 on BBB integrity in vitro was consistent with that in vivo, as evidenced by G1 reducing the impact of hemin on transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) value, dextran diffusivity, and TJ protein levels in brain microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, G1 activated the PI3K/ protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/HO-1 pathways both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the administration of LY294002 and ZnPP IX partially reversed the protective effect of G1 on BBB integrity in hemin-stimulated cells. We demonstrated that the activation of GPR30, at least partly through the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, alleviated BBB damage both in vivo and in vitro. This study introduced a novel therapeutic approach for protecting the BBB after SAH.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways might be potential mechanisms by which GPR30 protected the integrity of the BBB in SAH models. Therefore, treatment of SAH with GPR30 activator might be a promising therapeutic strategy.