# Targeting Blood-Brain Barrier Transporters to Treat Ischemic Stroke

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2022 · $559,645

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Ischemic stroke is a significant public health concern in the United States. Current therapeutic
approaches for stroke involve thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) or
endovascular treatments; however, many patients still experience disability. The goal of improving post-stroke
outcomes requires novel neuroprotective drugs for stroke treatment. While many such compounds have been
identified in preclinical stroke studies, none of these have been successfully translated to the clinic. In contrast,
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins) are routinely given to
stroke patients due to an inherent ability of these drugs to improve post-stroke functional outcomes.
 In this grant, we will test the mechanistic hypothesis that neuroprotection from statins results
from transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that is mediated by the critical uptake transporter
organic anion transporting polypeptide 1a4 (Oatp1a4). This hypothesis will be tested by two aims.
 Aim 1: To investigate CNS delivery of statins mediated by Oatp1a4 in ischemic stroke. To evaluate
the role of Oatp1a4 in CNS drug delivery during stroke, we will investigate Oatp1a4-mediated statin transport at
the BBB using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model. In these studies, age-matched
male and female rats will be subjected to tMCAO for 90 min (Aim 1A). We will then demonstrate that Oatp1a4-
mediated statin delivery improves both biomarkers of neuroprotection and BBB integrity (Aim 1B). We will also
perform neurocognitive, sensorimotor, and motor performance studies (i.e., functional neurological tests) in
animals administered statins and subjected to tMCAO with reperfusion times of up to 21 days (Aim 1C). In all
studies, statins will be administered intravenously either at the time of reperfusion or after 2 h of reperfusion to
show that early administration of neuroprotective drugs can improve post-stroke outcomes.
 Aim 2: Transforming Growth Factor-b (TGF-b) signaling can be targeted to control Oatp1a4-
mediated CNS statin delivery in ischemic stroke. In these experiments, we will perform dose-response
studies and multiple-dosing experiments in age-matched male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using the TGF-
b/ALK1 agonist bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-9 and the TGF-b/ALK5 antagonist SB431542. We will study
the activation of specific Smad proteins that control TGF-b signaling in brain microvascular endothelial cells (Aim
2A). We will also determine the time course of Oatp1a4 expression and activity changes following BMP-9 or
SB431542 treatment and their effects on CNS delivery of statins (Aim 2B). Additionally, we will measure indices
of neuroprotection, markers of BBB protection, and neurological outcomes in rats subjected to tMCAO,
administered BMP-9 or SB431542, and injected intravenously with a statin (Aim 2C).
 Overall, these studies are clinically relevant becaus...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10327337
- **Project number:** 5R01NS084941-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Patrick Thomas Ronaldson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $559,645
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-07-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10327337

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10327337, Targeting Blood-Brain Barrier Transporters to Treat Ischemic Stroke (5R01NS084941-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10327337. Licensed CC0.

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