As mentioned in our readings, stroke is one of the more common causes of death or disability. It is characterized as damage to the brain due to loss of blood flow by way of one of the two causes mentioned in the previous post. Either a blockage develops in the arteries of the brain (ischemia), or a rupture occurs, leading to a hemorrhage.
Several elements related to inflammation are involved in this event, but one in particular was of interest to me during the reading of the review article: “The Inflammatory Response in Stroke.” J Neuroimmunol. March 2007. Selectins were mentioned as molecules which assist leukocyte entry into the brain. Leukocytes then release proinflammatory mediators which can cause further damage to salvageable tissue. E-selectin is one of these molecules, which promotes rolling and adhesion of leukocytes on the capillary endothelium. E-selectin is also mentioned to be “exclusively upregulated in stimulated epithelium.” The interesting point brought up by this article, is that exposure to E-selectin through the nose, can create an immune tolerance to it. This tolerance can then lower the chances of leukocyte entry into the brain, reducing damage after a stroke, or could potentially prevent one! A little extra research turned up only a few excerpts and news briefs that this research has shown promising signs of reducing the occurrence of stroke in rats, with long term prevention seen with continual treatment. I had some trouble locating the article which presents these findings. If anyone may know of where I can find this, please let me know. It will be interesting to see if this proves effective with future research, and also if a tolerance to P-selectin (related to E-selectin in its function) could show similar results.
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