Circulating tPA contributes to neurovascular coupling by a mechanism involving the endothelial NMDA receptors.

ABSTRACT: The increase of cerebral blood flow evoked by neuronal activity is essential to ensure enough energy supply to the brain. In the neurovascular unit, endothelial cells are ideally placed to regulate key neurovascular functions of the brain. Nevertheless, some outstanding questions remain about their exact role neurovascular coupling (NVC). Here, we postulated that the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) present in the circulation might contribute to NVC by a mechanism dependent of its interaction with endothelial N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR). To address this question, we used pharmacological and genetic approaches to interfere with vascular tPA-dependent NMDAR signaling, combined with laser speckle flowmetry, intravital microscopy and ultrafast functional ultrasound in vivo ima

SUBMITTER: Anfray A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7786842 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature