Intracerebral hemorrhage‐induced brain injury in mice: The role of peroxiredoxin 2‐Toll‐like receptor 4 inflammatory axis.

Background: Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), an intracellular protein that regulates redox reactions, released from red blood cells is involved in inflammatory brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) may be crucial in this process. This study investigated the role of the Prx2‐TLR4 inflammatory axis in brain injury following experimental ICH in mice. Methods: First, C57BL/6 mice received an intracaudate injection of autologous arterial blood or saline and their brains were harvested on day 1 to measure Prx2 levels. Second, mice received an intracaudate injection of either recombinant mouse Prx2 or saline. Third, the mice were co‐injected with autologous arterial blood and conoidin A, a Prx2 inhibitor, or vehicle. Fourth, the mice received a Prx2 injection and were treated with TAK‐242, a TLR4 antagonist, or saline (intraperitoneally). Behavioral tests, magnetic resonance imaging, western blot, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) were performed. Results: Brain Prx2 levels were elevated after autologous arterial blood injection. Intracaudate injection of Prx2 caused brain swelling, microglial activation, neutrophil infiltration, neuronal death, and neurological deficits. Co‐injection of conoidin A attenuated autologous arterial blood‐induced brain injury. TLR4 was expressed on the surface of microglia/macrophages and neutrophils and participated in Prx2‐induced inflammation. TAK‐242 treatment attenuated Prx2‐induced inflammation and neurological deficits. Conclusions: Prx2 can cause brain injury following ICH through the TLR4 pathway, revealing the Prx2‐TLR4 inflammatory axis as a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]