Attenuation of Myeloid-Specific TGFβ Signaling Induces Inflammatory Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke

Cryptogenic strokes, those of unknown cause, have been estimated as high as 30% to 40% of strokes. Inflammation has been suggested as a critical etiologic factor. However, there is lack of experimental evidence.

In this study, we investigated inflammation-associated stroke using a mouse model that developed spontaneous stroke because of myeloid deficiency of TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) signaling.

We report that mice with deletion of Tgfbr2 in myeloid cells (Tgfbr2^Myeko) developed cerebrovascular inflammation in the absence of significant pathology in other tissues, culminating in stroke and severe neurological deficits with 100% penetrance. The stroke phenotype can be transferred to syngeneic wild-type mice via Tgfbr2^Myeko bone marrow transplant and can be rescued in Tgfbr2^Myeko mice with wild-type bone marrow. The underlying mechanisms involved an increased type 1 inflammation and cerebral endotheliopathy, characterized by elevated NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) activation and TNF (tumor necrosis factor) production by myeloid cells. A high-fat diet accelerated stroke incidence. Anti-TNF treatment, as well as metformin and methotrexate, which are associated with decreased stroke risk in population studies, delayed stroke occurrence.

Our studies show that TGF-β signaling in myeloid cells is required for maintenance of vascular health and provide insight into inflammation-mediated cerebrovascular disease and stroke.