Microvascular Integrin-Matrix Responses to Focal Cerebral Ischemia Are Rapid and Reflect Neuron Injury

In the ischemic basal ganglia, early changes in the microvascular basal lamina, cellular integrin expression, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) release occur in association with severe neuron injury. These changes are temporally and spatially related. Studies indicate that focal ischemia reduces microvascular expression of endothelial cell integrin α 1 β 1 and astrocyte integrin α 6 β 4 in a manner related to the severity of the neuron injury, and that MMP-2 upregulation is directly related to neuron injury. Further investigations are required to support the proposition that integrin-matrix responses by endothelial cells and astrocytes to focal cerebral ischemia, which together decrease microvascular integrity, also affect neuron survival.