Kir6.2-containing ATP-sensitive potassium channels protect cortical neurons from ischemic/anoxic injury in vitro and in vivo

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are weak inward rectifiers that appear to play an important role in protecting neurons against ischemic damage. Cerebral stroke is a major health issue, and vulnerability to stroke damage is regional within the brain. Thus, we set out to determine whether KATP channels protect cortical neurons against ischemic insults. Experiments were performed using Kir6.2−/− KATP channel knockout and Kir6.2+/+ wildtype mice. We compared results obtained in Kir6.2−/− and wildtype mice to evaluate the protective role of KATP channels against focal ischemia in vivo, and, using cortical slices, against anoxic stress in vitro. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of KATP channels in the cortex of wildtype, but not Kir6.2−/−, mice. Results from in vivo and in vitro experimental models indicate that Kir6.2-containing KATP channels in the cortex provide protection from neuronal death. Briefly, in vivo focal ischemia (15 min) induced severe neurological deficits and large cortical infarcts in Kir6.2−/− mice, but not in wildtype mice. Imaging analyses of cortical slices exposed briefly to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) revealed a substantial number of damaged cells (propidium iodide–labeled) in the Kir6.2−/− OGD group, but few degenerating neurons in the wildtype OGD group, or in the wildtype and Kir6.2−/− control groups. Slices from the three control groups had far more surviving cells (anti-NeuN antibody-labeled) than slices from the Kir6.2−/− OGD group. These findings suggest that stimulation of endogenous cortical KATP channels may provide a useful strategy for limiting the damage that results from cerebral ischemic stroke.