Exp Neurobiol.  2016 Oct;25(5):241-251. 10.5607/en.2016.25.5.241.

Inflammation after Ischemic Stroke: The Role of Leukocytes and Glial Cells

• Kim JY
• Park J
• Chang JY
• Kim SH
• Lee JE

• KMID: 2354877
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2016.25.5.241

Abstract

The immune response after stroke is known to play a major role in ischemic brain pathobiology. The inflammatory signals released by immune mediators activated by brain injury sets off a complex series of biochemical and molecular events which have been increasingly recognized as a key contributor to neuronal cell death. The primary immune mediators involved are glial cells and infiltrating leukocytes, including neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocyte. After ischemic stroke, activation of glial cells and subsequent release of pro- and anti-inflammatory signals are important for modulating both neuronal cell damage and wound healing. Infiltrated leukocytes release inflammatory mediators into the site of the lesion, thereby exacerbating brain injury. This review describes how the roles of glial cells and circulating leukocytes are a double-edged sword for neuroinflammation by focusing on their detrimental and protective effects in ischemic stroke. Here, we will focus on underlying characterize of glial cells and leukocytes under inflammation after ischemic stroke.

Keyword

ischemic stroke; inflammation; glial cells; leukocytes

MeSH Terms

Brain
Brain Injuries
Cell Death
Inflammation*
Leukocytes*
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Neuroglia*
Neurons
Neutrophils
Stroke*
Wound Healing