Meningeal lymphatic dysfunction exacerbates traumatic brain injury pathogenesis

The goal of this study is to use bulk RNA-sequencing of the right brain hemisphere to observe the effects of TBI in the context of pre-existing meningeal lymphatic dysfunction in mice. We find that pre-existing meningeal lymphatic dysfunction potentiates the inflammatory response to TBI, suggesting an important role for the meningeal lymphatics in injury site drainage and proper recovery. Mice were subjected to an injection of Visudyne or vehicle i.c.m., and 15 minutes later a red laser was directed at 5 spots along the sinuses through the skull. After a week of rest, mice received TBI or a sham procedure. 24 hours after injury, RNA was isolated from homogenized brains. Bulk RNA sequencing was performed on 4 experimental groups with 4 samples per group (Not Ablated + Sham, Ablated + Sham, Not Ablated + TBI, Ablated + TBI).