Inhibition of Proteasomal Glucocorticoid Receptor Degradation Restores Dexamethasone-Mediated Stabilization of the Blood–Brain Barrier After Traumatic Brain Injury*

To establish the molecular background for glucocorticoid insensitivity, that is, failure to reduce edema formation and to protect blood-brain barrier integrity after acute traumatic brain injury.Controlled animal study.University research laboratory.Male C57Bl/6N mice.Mechanical brain lesion by controlled cortical impact.Our study demonstrates that 1) proteasomal glucocorticoid receptor degradation is established in brain endothelial cells after traumatic brain injury as a form of posttranslational glucocorticoid receptor modification; 2) inhibition of the proteasomal degradation pathway with bortezomib (0.2 mg/kg) in combination with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) by subcutane…