Gene technologies in ischemic stroke preclinical studies

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading death causes and disability worldwide. The review is devoted to analysis of gene technologies application achievements in ischemic stroke experimental study. In experimental brain ischemia, genetic constructs effectiveness studies, genes, encoding predominantly neurotrophic and angiogenic factors delivery is actively pursued. Direct gene therapy has proven its effectiveness in experimental ischemic stroke. Genetic constructs delivering methods with target genes into the ischemic brain using cellular carriers has advantages because of combined action of genes and transplanted cells. Studies on ischemic stroke models with cellular carriers overexpressing various neurotrophic and angiogenic factors confirm the safety and effectiveness of this approach, which allows us to consider transgenes cell-mediated delivery as a stroke treatment promising method. Another significant area of gene technologies application, which is also mentioned upon in the review, is related to opto- and chemogenetic methods, which allowed obtaining new data of ischemic stroke pathogenesis cellular and molecular mechanisms. Three main criteria were used in the review: volume of infarction, capillary density and motor activity for effectiveness comparative assessment of direct administration, transgenes number and cell-mediated delivery.