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. Overall design: 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.