Millions of people suffer from stroke every year, and stroke is the main cause of disabilities among adults. One of the best preventive strategies in stroke is exercise, but no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal exercise regime. We have recently shown that a lactate receptor, HCAR1, is present and active on fibroblasts in the meninges, especially in the pia mater. We further show that activation of these receptors, by high-intensity interval exercise, or lactate injections, induce increased density of capillaries in the brain. This happens at least partly through increased release of growth factors.
Using primary fibroblast cultures, we investigate the intracellular events that occur between receptor activation and release of growth factors. We further use mouse models to investigate the effect of activation of the lactate receptor in the treatment or prevention of stroke. We are studying intracellular signaling pathways, the release of growth factors and signs of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. The aim of the project is to establish whether lactate-sensing fibroblasts of the meninges represent a novel therapeutic and preventive target in stroke.
Funded by NFR 2017–2021.