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The Dual Role of Microglia in Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction after Stroke
Ruiqing Kang1,2, Marcin Gamdzyk1, Cameron Lenahan1
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
Abstract:
It is well-known that stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability all over the world. After a stroke, the blood-brain barrier subsequently breaks down. The BBB consists of endothelial cells surrounded by astrocytes. Microglia, considered the long-living resident immune cells of the brain, play a vital role in BBB function. M1 microglia worsen BBB disruption, while M2 microglia assist in repairing BBB damage. Microglia can also directly interact with endothelial cells and affect BBB permeability. In this review, we are going to discuss the mechanisms responsible for the dual role of microglia in BBB dysfunction after stroke.
