Transcriptomic Analysis of mouse brain after traumatic brain injury reveals that the angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan acts through novel pathways

Purpose: To gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which candesartan improves revocery after controlled cortical impact. Methods: We performed a transcriptomic analysis of the ipsilateral hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus at 3 and 29 days post-injury utilizing bulk mRNA-seq. Results: A majority of the differentially expressed genes were identified in the hippocampus at 3 days post injury showing alterations in angiogenesis, interferon signaling, extracellular matrix organization, and DNA replication. At 29 days post injury candesartan treatment reduced genes associated with the inflammatory response. Conclusion: Our data suggests that candesartan has broad actions in the brain after injury and affects different processes in acute and chronic times after injury. Transcriptomic analysis of ipsilateral mouse hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus at 3 and 29 dpi after sham injury or controlled cortical impact with or without candesartan treatment.