Effect of glutamine treatment on human brain microvascular endothelial cells

We found glutamine levels were positively associated with a greater risk of stroke. After treatment with glutamine, HBMECs exhibited enhanced proliferation, migration, and EndMT, all reversed by ITGB4 knockdown. In ITGB4-transfected HBMECs, the MAPK-ERK-TGF-β/BMP pathway was activated, with Smad4 knockdown reversing the EndMT. Furthermore, atorvastatin suppressed the EndMT by inhibiting Smad1/5 phosphorylation and promoting Smad4 ubiquitination in ITGB4-transfected HBMECs. Finally, ITGB4 upregulation was confirmed in the superficial temporal arteries of patients with moyamoya. To investigate the effect of glutamine on human brain microvascular endothelial cells, we treat cells with glutamine at a concentration of 20 mM.