Researchers at Osaka University have uncovered molecules that could boost recovery following a stroke. The findings were published in the journal Paralysis. Ischemic stroke, which results from a blockage that cuts off blood flow to the brain, remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Timely clot-dissolving treatments can limit brain damage if given within a narrow window, but the new study shows a different approach: molecules that support cognitive and motor restoration even when administered the day after a stroke.
In this work, scientists identified two proteins, RSPO3 (R-spondin 3) and LGR4, that set off a chain of cellular events aimed at reducing brain inflammation and promoting nerve cell repair. The team then delivered RSPO3 directly into the brains of mice at 24 and 48 hours after an ischemic stroke. Nine days post-stroke, mice treated with RSPO3 exhibited noticeably better motor and sensory function compared with those that received a placebo.
As the activity of inflammation-promoting molecules waned, signs of neuronal overgrowth became more evident. This growth correlated with a lower level of TLR4, a key protein involved in triggering inflammatory responses. The results are especially intriguing because RSPO3 was given the day after the stroke, hinting at potential benefits for later stages of recovery. The RSPO3-LGR4 pathway may offer a promising route for developing new therapies to support recovery after ischemic stroke. Yet researchers acknowledge there are still many questions to answer before moving into human clinical trials. [Attribution: Osaka University, Paralysis journal]