Neuroprotection Against Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury by Inhibiting the Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor-1 Pathway

Abstract

Background and Purpose— Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial damage–mediated neuronal apoptosis is a major contributor to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) brain injury. This study was performed to determine whether targeted inhibition of the apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) signaling pathway downstream of mitochondrial damage confers neuroprotection in rodent models of neonatal H-I. Methods— H-I was induced in 7-day-old (P7) transgenic mice overexpressing the specific Apaf-1–inhibitory protein AIP. Apaf-1 inhibition was also achieved in P7 rats by protein transduction–enhanced delivery of recombinant AIP. Pups were euthanized 6 to 24 hours after H-I for assessing caspase activation and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and AIF, and 7 days after H-I for analyzing brain tissue damage. Sensorimotor functions were assessed in rats up to 4 weeks after H-I. Results— Transgenic overexpression of AIP protected against H-I brain injury, resulting in attenuated activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and attenuated brain tissue loss. In neonatal H-I rats, intraperitoneal injection of TAT-AIP, but not the control proteins TAT-GFP or AIP, decreased caspase activation and brain damage and improved neurological functions. Neuroprotection conferred by AIP was also associated with significantly reduced release of cytochrome c and AIF from mitochondria. Conclusion— The Apaf-1 signaling pathway, which transmits cell death signals after mitochondrial damage to effector caspases, may be a legitimate therapeutic target for the treatment of neonatal H-I brain injury.