Objective: Hirudin has shown potential in promoting angiogenesis and providing neuroprotection in ischemic stroke; however, its therapeutic role in promoting cerebrovascular angiogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether hirudin exerts neuroprotective effects by promoting angiogenesis through the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Methods: An in vitro model of glucose and oxygen deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) was established using rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The effects of hirudin on OGD/R cell viability were assessed using the CCK-8 assay. The angiogenic potential of hirudin was evaluated using Transwell and tube formation assays. In vivo, a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was created in rats. The neuroprotective effects of hirudin were assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and immunofluorescence staining. DKK-1, a specific inhibitor of this pathway, was introduced in order to investigate the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The effects of hirudin on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were examined through immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Results: Hirudin significantly improved BMEC survival and enhanced both cell migration and tube formation in the OGD/R model. In the MCAO/R model, hirudin reduced the mNSS score, alleviated pathological damage, decreased infarction volume, and increased the expression of key angiogenic factors, including CD34, VEGF, and Ang-2. In addition, hirudin activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, leading to elevated levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin.
Conclusion: Hirudin has substantial neuroprotective effects associated with the promotion of angiogenesis in the ischemic penumbra. This mechanism is mediated by the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Keywords: Hirudin; Wnt; angiogenesis; ischemic stroke; β-catenin.
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