Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Is Involved in LPA(5)-Mediated Brain Damage after a Transient Ischemic Stroke

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA(5)) has been recently identified as a novel pathogenic factor for brain ischemic stroke. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we determined whether the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) could be involved in LPA(5)-mediated brain injuries after ischemic challenge using a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). RAGE was upregulated in the penumbra and ischemic core regions after tMCAO challenge. RAGE upregulation was greater at 3 days than that at 1 day after tMCAO challenge. It was mostly observed in Iba1-immunopositive cells of a post-ischemic brain. Suppressing LPA(5) activity with its antagonist, TCLPA5, attenuated RAGE upregulation in the penumbra and ischemic core regions, particularly on Iba1-immunopositive cells, of injured brains after tMCAO challenge. It also attenuated blood–brain barrier disruption, one of the core pathogenesis upon RAGE activation, after tMCAO challenge. As an underlying signaling pathways, LPA(5) could contribute to the activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB in injured brains after tMCAO challenge. Collectively, the current study suggests that RAGE is a possible mediator for LPA(5)-dependent ischemic brain injury.