Ischemic stroke-induced increases in circulating microparticles promote leukocyte adhesion in intact microvessels (672.3)

Studies in both stroke patients and experimental animals indicate an association between ischemic stroke and post stroke peripheral inflammation, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Our ongoing study indicated that circulating microparticles (MPs), the small vesicles released from the cell membrane upon activation, were significantly elevated in both patients and animals with diabetes, and increased circulating MPs with phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on their outer membrane played important roles in the development of diabetes-associated microvascular complications. The objective of this study was to investigate whether local ischemic stroke produced increased circulating MPs and determine their impact on post stroke-associated peripheral vascular inflammation. Acute cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCAO) in 3-4 month old rats using an autologous blood clot. Functional assessment, lesion volume, and hemispheric swelling were evaluated at 24h after MCA...