Distinct inflammatory responses differentiate cerebral infarct from transient ischaemic attack

Publication date: Available online 30 September 2016 Source:Journal of Clinical Neuroscience Author(s): Christopher W.L. Armstrong, Erika Bosio, Claire Neil, Simon G.A. Brown, Graeme J. Hankey, Daniel M. Fatovich We previously reported on a 26-year-old patient who presented early during a large and eventually fatal cerebral infarct. Microarray analysis of blood samples from this patient demonstrated initially up-regulated and subsequently down-regulated Granzyme B (GzmB) expression, along with progressive up-regulation of genes for S100 calcium binding protein A12 (S100A12) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). To confirm these findings, we investigated these parameters in patients with suspected stroke presenting within 6h of symptom onset to a single centre. Blood samples were taken at enrolment, then 1h, 3h and 24h post-enrolment for the examination of cellular, protein and genetic changes. Patients with subsequently confirmed ischaemic (n =18) or haemorrhagic stroke (n =11) showed increased intracellular concentrations of GzmB in all cell populations investigated (CD8+, CD8− and Natural Killer [NK] cells). Infarct patients, however, demonstrated significantly reduced GzmB gene expression and increased circulating MMP-9 and S100A12 levels in contrast to transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients or healthy controls. Furthermore, a pronounced neutrophilia was noted in the infarct and haemorrhage groups, while TIA patients (n =9) reflected healthy controls (n =10)...
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research