Emerging Targets for Modulation of Immune Response and Inflammation in Stroke

Abstract

The inflammatory and immunological responses play a significant role after stroke. The innate immune activation stimulated by microglia during stroke results in the migration of macrophages and lymphocytes into the brain and are responsible for tissue damage. The immune response and inflammation following stroke have no defined targets, and the intricacies of the immunological and inflammatory processes are only partially understood. Innate immune cells enter the brain and meninges during the acute phase, which can cause ischemia damage. Activation of systemic immunity is caused by danger signals sent into the bloodstream by injured brain cells, which is followed by a significant immunodepression that encourages life-threatening infections. Neuropsychiatric sequelae, a major source of post-stroke morbidity, may be induced by an adaptive immune response that is initiated by antigen presentation during the chronic period and is directed against the brain. Thus, the current review discusses the role of immune response and inflammation in stroke pathogenesis, their role in the progression of injury during the stroke, and the emerging targets for the modulation of the mechanism of immune response and inflammation that may have possible therapeutic benefits against stroke.

Keywords: Adaptive immune response; Delta opioid receptor; Inflammation; Innate immune response; MicroRNAs; Stroke; Tregs cells.