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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Assessment of Neuroimmune Interactions in a Mini-Stroke Murine Model
Published on: June 20, 2025
Interaction of microglia with infiltrating immune cells in the different phases of stroke
Daniel Berchtold1, Josef Priller2,3, Christian Meisel4
1Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Stroke, in association with its complications, is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Cerebral ischemia triggers an inflammatory response in the brain that is controlled by the activation of resident microglia as well as the infiltration of peripheral myeloid and lymphoid cells into the brain parenchyma. This inflammation has been shown to have both beneficial and detrimental effects on stroke outcome. The focus of this review lies on the functions of myeloid cells and their interaction with infiltrating lymphocytes in different phases of stroke. A detailed and time-specific understanding of the contribution of different immune cell subsets during the course of cerebral ischemia is crucial to specifically promote beneficial and inhibit detrimental effects of inflammation on stroke outcome.
Insights
Stroke causes significant mortality and morbidity. This review details how myeloid cells and lymphocytes interact during cerebral ischemia, influencing stroke outcomes by modulating brain inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Stroke is a major global health issue, leading to death and disability.
- Cerebral ischemia, a key stroke mechanism, initiates a complex inflammatory response in the brain.
- Brain inflammation involves resident microglia and infiltrating peripheral immune cells, with dual roles in stroke outcome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions of myeloid cells in stroke.
- To examine the interaction between myeloid cells and lymphocytes during cerebral ischemia.
- To understand the temporal contribution of immune cell subsets to stroke pathology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on immune cell involvement in cerebral ischemia.
- Analysis of the roles of myeloid cells (e.g., microglia, macrophages) and lymphocytes.
- Examination of the dynamic interplay between immune cells in different stroke phases.
Main Results:
- Myeloid cells, including microglia and infiltrating macrophages, play critical roles in stroke.
- Lymphocytes interact with myeloid cells, modulating the inflammatory response.
- The effects of inflammation on stroke outcome are phase-dependent and cell-subset specific.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the specific functions and interactions of immune cells during cerebral ischemia is vital.
- Targeting specific immune cell subsets and their activities could offer therapeutic strategies for stroke.
- A time-specific approach is needed to harness beneficial inflammation and mitigate detrimental effects in stroke.
