Hyaluronidase inhibition accelerates functional recovery from stroke in the mouse brain

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are presumed to limit plasticity in adult animals. Ischaemic stroke results the massive breakdown of PNNs resulting rejuvenating states neuronal plasticity, but mechanisms this phenomenon largely unknown. As hyaluronic acid (HA) is structural backbone PNNs, we hypothesized that these changes a consequence altered expression HA metabolism enzymes. Additionally, investigated whether early hyaluronidase inhibition interferes with post-stroke PNN reduction and behavioural recovery. We mRNA/protein enzymes perilesional, remote contralateral cortical regions mice at different time points after photothrombosis, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction immunofluorescence. A skilled reaching test was employed inhibitor L-ascorbic 6-hexadecanoate influence on found simultaneous up-regulation mRNA synthesizing degrading perilesional area stroke, suggesting an acceleration turnover ischaemic Immunostaining revealed differential cellular localization enzymes, 1 astrocytes hyaluronan synthase 2 neurons, both them astrocytes. ?-glucuronidase observed neurons occurred microglia. Inhibition activity resulted improved performance test, without affecting numbers PNNs. These suggest substantial reorganization polysaccharide content occurs, interfering process has beneficial effect