Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Osteopontin (OPN) is an inducible, multifunctional, extracellular matrix protein that may be protective against blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. ⋯ OPN may increase MAPK phosphatase-1 that inactivates MAPKs, upstream and downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, by binding to L-arginyl-glycyl-L-aspartate-dependent integrin receptors, suggesting a novel mechanism of OPN-induced post-SAH BBB protection.