Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (Jan 2021)

Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke: Focus on MicroRNA-mediated Polarization of Microglia

  • Lu Lian,
  • Lu Lian,
  • Lu Lian,
  • Yunsha Zhang,
  • Lu Liu,
  • Liji Yang,
  • Liji Yang,
  • Liji Yang,
  • Yichen Cai,
  • Yichen Cai,
  • Yichen Cai,
  • Junping Zhang,
  • Junping Zhang,
  • Shixin Xu,
  • Shixin Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2020.612439
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of death and disability worldwide. Neuroinflammation is a major pathological event involved in the process of ischemic injury and repair. In particular, microglia play a dual role in neuroinflammation. During the acute phase of stroke onset, M2 microglia are the dominant phenotype and exert protective effects on neuronal cells, whereas permanent M1 microglia contribute to prolonged inflammation and are detrimental to brain tissue. Emerging evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) may have regulatory effects on microglia-associated inflammation. Thus, we briefly reviewed the dynamic response of microglia after a stroke and assessed how specific miRNAs affect the behavior of reactive microglia. We concluded that miRNAs may be useful novel therapeutic targets to improve stroke outcomes and modulate neuroinflammation.

Keywords