Decreased levels of cell-division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein in peripheral lymphocytes from ischaemic stroke patients are associated with Golgi apparatus function

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 642 - 653
• Main Authors: Mo, Xiao-Ye, Li, Ting, Hu, Zhi-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.06.2013; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Ischemia - diagnosis; Brain Ischemia - genetics; Brain Ischemia - metabolism; Case-Control Studies; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein - genetics; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein - metabolism; Cell Cycle - genetics; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Expression; Golgi Apparatus - genetics; Golgi Apparatus - metabolism; Humans; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Lymphocytes - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Middle Aged; Neurology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prospective Studies; Stroke - diagnosis; Stroke - genetics; Stroke - metabolism; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; trans-golgi network protein 2 (TGN46) protein; cell-division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein; Ischaemic stroke; lymphocyte; Golgi apparatus; Human; Nervous system diseases; Cardiovascular disease; Protein; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Central nervous system disease; Cell cycle; Brain ischemia; Lymphocyte; Cerebrovascular disease
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060513480093

Objectives To investigate levels of cell-division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein, and their relationship with Golgi apparatus function in peripheral lymphocytes, in patients following ischaemic stroke. Methods Patients with acute cerebral ischaemic stroke (within 24–72 h of the onset of focal neurological symptoms) and healthy control subjects were enrolled in this prospective case–control study. The cellular location of Cdc42 in peripheral lymphocytes was demonstrated using immunofluorescence. Protein levels of Cdc42 and trans-golgi network protein 2 (TGN46) in peripheral lymphocytes were determined by immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting. Results A total of 38 patients with stroke and 38 control subjects were studied. The mean ± SD percentage of Cdc42-positive lymphocytes from patients with stroke was significantly lower than that in control subjects (39.53 ± 13.55% versus 66.61 ± 23.30%, respectively). Similar findings were demonstrated for TGN46. Cdc42 levels were positively correlated with TGN46 levels (r = 0.92). Conclusions Acute ischaemic stroke was associated with reduced levels of Cdc42 protein. These findings might lead to the development of drugs that could have therapeutic benefits in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.