Endothelial cell-derived RSPO3 activates Gαi1/3-Erk signaling and protects neurons from ischemia/reperfusion injury

The current study explores the potential function and the underlying mechanisms of endothelial cell-derived R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) neuroprotection against ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal cell injury. In both neuronal cells (Neuro-2a) and primary murine cortical neurons, pretreatment with RSPO3 ameliorated oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-induced neuronal cell death and oxidative injury. In neurons RSPO3 activated the Akt, Erk and β-Catenin signaling cascade, but only Erk inhibitors reversed RSPO3-induced neuroprotection against OGD/R. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and neuronal cells, RSPO3-induced LGR4-Gab1-Gαi1/3 association was required for Erk activation, and either silencing or knockout of Gαi1 and Gαi3 abolished RSPO3-induced neuroprotection. In mice, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) increased RSPO3 expression and Erk activation in ischemic penumbra brain tissues. Endothelial knockdown or knockout of RSPO3 inhibited Erk activation in the ischemic penumbra brain tissues and increased MCAO-induced cerebral ischemic injury in mice. Conversely, endothelial overexpression of RSPO3 ameliorated MCAO-induced cerebral ischemic injury. We conclude that RSPO3 activates Gαi1/3-Erk signaling to protect neuronal cells from ischemia/reperfusion injury.