The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells

Abstract Stem cell‐based therapies and extracellular vesicle (EV) treatment have demonstrated significant potential for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke. Although the neuroprotective mechanisms are not yet fully understood, targeting microglia is central to promoting neuroprotection. Microgli...

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Main Authors: Matteo Haupt, Stefan T. Gerner, Thorsten R. Doeppner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-03-01
Series:Neuroprotection
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/nep3.39
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author Matteo Haupt
Stefan T. Gerner
Thorsten R. Doeppner
author_facet Matteo Haupt
Stefan T. Gerner
Thorsten R. Doeppner
author_sort Matteo Haupt
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Stem cell‐based therapies and extracellular vesicle (EV) treatment have demonstrated significant potential for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke. Although the neuroprotective mechanisms are not yet fully understood, targeting microglia is central to promoting neuroprotection. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. These cells are crucial in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. They respond rapidly to the site of injury by releasing pro‐inflammatory cytokines, phagocytizing dead cells and debris, and recruiting peripheral immune cells to the ischemic area. Although these responses are essential for clearing damage and initiating tissue repair, excessive or prolonged microglial activation can exacerbate brain injury, leading to secondary neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Moreover, microglia exhibit a dynamic range of activation states with the so‐called M1 pro‐inflammatory and M2 anti‐inflammatory phenotypes, representing the two ends of the spectrum. The delivery of both EVs and stem cells modulates microglial activation, suppressing pro‐inflammatory genes, influencing the expression of transcription factors, and altering receptor expression, ultimately contributing to neuroprotection. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the complex and dynamic role of microglia in the development of effective neuroprotective strategies to reduce the effects of ischemic stroke. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge regarding the role of microglia in ischemic stroke, including their molecular and cellular mechanisms, activation states, and interactions with other cells. We also discuss the multifaceted contributions of microglia to stem cell‐ and EV‐based neuroprotection during an ischemic stroke to provide a comprehensive understanding of microglial functions and their potential implications in stroke therapies.
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spelling doaj-art-49cc8c7edca94d8196ee4474bb4750a22025-08-20T03:27:47ZengWileyNeuroprotection2770-72962770-730X2024-03-012141510.1002/nep3.39The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cellsMatteo Haupt0Stefan T. Gerner1Thorsten R. Doeppner2Department of Neurology University of Göttingen Medical School Göttingen GermanyDepartment of Neurology University Hospital Giessen Giessen GermanyDepartment of Neurology University of Göttingen Medical School Göttingen GermanyAbstract Stem cell‐based therapies and extracellular vesicle (EV) treatment have demonstrated significant potential for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke. Although the neuroprotective mechanisms are not yet fully understood, targeting microglia is central to promoting neuroprotection. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. These cells are crucial in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. They respond rapidly to the site of injury by releasing pro‐inflammatory cytokines, phagocytizing dead cells and debris, and recruiting peripheral immune cells to the ischemic area. Although these responses are essential for clearing damage and initiating tissue repair, excessive or prolonged microglial activation can exacerbate brain injury, leading to secondary neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Moreover, microglia exhibit a dynamic range of activation states with the so‐called M1 pro‐inflammatory and M2 anti‐inflammatory phenotypes, representing the two ends of the spectrum. The delivery of both EVs and stem cells modulates microglial activation, suppressing pro‐inflammatory genes, influencing the expression of transcription factors, and altering receptor expression, ultimately contributing to neuroprotection. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the complex and dynamic role of microglia in the development of effective neuroprotective strategies to reduce the effects of ischemic stroke. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge regarding the role of microglia in ischemic stroke, including their molecular and cellular mechanisms, activation states, and interactions with other cells. We also discuss the multifaceted contributions of microglia to stem cell‐ and EV‐based neuroprotection during an ischemic stroke to provide a comprehensive understanding of microglial functions and their potential implications in stroke therapies.https://doi.org/10.1002/nep3.39extracellular vesiclemicroglianeuroprotectionstrokestem cells
spellingShingle Matteo Haupt
Stefan T. Gerner
Thorsten R. Doeppner
The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
Neuroprotection
extracellular vesicle
microglia
neuroprotection
stroke
stem cells
title The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
title_full The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
title_fullStr The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
title_full_unstemmed The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
title_short The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
title_sort dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke and its modulation via extracellular vesicles and stem cells
topic extracellular vesicle
microglia
neuroprotection
stroke
stem cells
url https://doi.org/10.1002/nep3.39
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