Neuroprotective Effect of Angiopoietin2 Is Associated with Angiogenesis in Mouse Brain Following Ischemic Stroke

Figure 1. Angiopoietin 2 (Angpt2)exerted a neuroprotective effect by reducing brain infarction in mice brains after ischemic stroke. (a) Laser Doppler flowmetry changed through an intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) procedure. The baseline blood flow was considered to be 100% for all mice. (b) TTC-stained sections of mouse, 3 days after MCAO. The normal brain tissue was stained red, while the ischemic tissue remained unstained. (c) Cresyl violet staining in a representative whole section image. The normal brain tissue was stained blue, while the ischemic tissue marked by black lines remained unstained. (d) Representative whole section image showing CV staining in the BSA-Sham, Angpt2-Sham, BSA-MCAO and Angpt2-MCAO groups 3 days after surgery. The normal brain tissue was stained blue, while the ischemic tissue remained unstained and marked with black lines. (e–g) Quantitative analysis was performed to display infarct area distribution (e), infarct volume (f), and neurological deficits (g) between the BSA-MCAO group and Angpt2-MCAO group in mice after stroke. (h) Representative images of immunolabeling of NeuN in the brain of mice 3 days after BSA or Angpt2 administration…

Figure 2. Angpt2 increased CD34 expression in ECs and the CD34+ vascular length and area in mouse brain after ischemic stroke. (a) Representative immunoblot with CD34 antibody of contralateral (Contral) and ipsilateral (Ipsi) striatum lysates 3 days after MCAO. (b) The bar graph described the relative expression of integrated density of the two bands in (a). (c,d) Representative images of immunohistochemistry (c) and immunofluorescence (d) labeling for CD34 in the ipsilateral and contralateral striatum 3 days after MCAO. (e) Representative immunoblot with CD34 antibody of cultured ECs at different time points after Angpt2 addition. (f) The bar graph described the relative expression of integrated density of the four bands in (e). Lines depict SEM (n = 3). (g–i) Angpt2 increased CD34+ vascular length and area after stroke. (g) The immunofluorescent image of vessels (green, CD34) in different groups 3 days after injection and operation. The statistics of CD34+ vascular length (h) and area (i) in different groups 3 days after injection and operation. Scale bars: 50 μm. Lines depict SEM. (n = 3 in e and f; n = 4 in other groups; In b, h and i, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 by two-sample t test. In…