Chronic Cerebral Ischemia Induces Downregulation of A1 Adenosine Receptors During White Matter Damage in Adult Mice

The role of A1 adenosine receptors (A1ARs) in the white matter under chronic cerebral ischemic conditions remains unclear. Here, we used right unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (rUCCAO) to construct a chronic cerebral ischemic mouse model. A1AR expression and proteolipid protein (PLP, a marker of white matter myelination) in the corpus callosum were observed by immunoreaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Pro-inflammatory interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were determined by ELISA. The Morris water maze test was employed to detect cognitive impairment. A1AR expression significantly decreased in the rUCCAO group as compared with the sham control group on weeks 2, 4, and 6, respectively. IL-10 levels in the rUCCAO group significantly declined on week 6, while there was no significant change in IL-1 beta expression. PLP expression significantly decreased in the rUCCAO group on weeks 2, 4, and 6. Moreover, latency time for the Morris water maze test significantly increased in the rUCCAO group on weeks 4 and 6, while the number of platform location crossing significantly decreased in the rUCCAO group on weeks 2, 4, and 6. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that chronic cerebral ischemia appears to induce A1AR downregulation and inhibition of IL-10 production, which may play key roles in the neuropathological mechanisms of ischemic white matter lesions. These data will facilitate future studies in formulating effective therapeutic strategies for ischemic white matter lesions.