Glial activation is involved in neuroinflammation and
blood–brain
barrier (BBB) damage, which plays a key role in ischemic stroke-induced
neuronal damage; therefore, regulating glial activation is an important
way to inhibit ischemic brain injury. Effects of laquinimod (LAQ)
include inhibiting axonal damage and neuroinflammation in multiple
neuronal injury diseases. However, whether laquinimod can exert neuroprotective
effects after ischemic stroke remains unknown. In this study, we investigated
the effect of LAQ on glial activation, BBB damage, and neuronal damage
in an ischemic stroke model. Adult ICR mice were used to create a
photothrombotic stroke (PT) model. LAQ was administered orally at
30 min after ischemic injury. Neurobehavioral tests, Evans Blue, immunofluorescence,
TUNEL, Nissl staining, and western blot were performed to evaluate
the neurofunctional outcome. Quantification of immunofluorescence
was evaluated by unbiased stereology. LAQ post-treatment significantly
reduced infarction and improved forepaw function at 5 days after PT.
Interestingly, LAQ treatment significantly promoted anti-inflammatory
microglial activation. Moreover, LAQ treatment reduced astrocyte activation,
glial scar formation, and BBB breakdown in ischemic brains. Therefore,
this study demonstrated that LAQ post-treatment restricted microglial
polarization, astrogliosis, and glial scar and improved BBB damage
and behavioral function. LAQ may serve as a novel target to develop
new therapeutic agents for ischemic stroke.