Abstract 11144: CXCR3 Deletion Limits Leukocyte Infiltration and Neurologic Damage Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Ischemic stroke has been defined as an acute episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by focal ischemia in the brain, spinal cord or retina following interruption of blood flow. This definition highlights the importance of pathophysiological processes underlying ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced tissue injury. In particular, IR-induced inflammation in the CNS and blood stream, such as production of cytokines, chemokines, and leukocyte recruitment, could influence crucial steps of tissue injury. CXCL10 is a chemokine which interacts with its receptor CXCR3 to recruit and activate several types of leukocytes including macrophage/microglia and T cells. We used CXCR3-deficient and wild type mice (CXCR3-/-) in a model of retinal IR injury to study neurovascular injury in relation to the CXCL10/CXCR3 interaction and leukocyte recruitment. The transparent nature of retina and accessibility for neurological testing provides an excellent platform for analysis of these molecular events. Retinal IR injury was achiev...