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Involvement of Microglia in the Pathophysiology of Intracranial Aneurysms and Vascular Malformations-A Short Overview

Teodora Larisa Timis1, Ioan Alexandru Florian2, Sergiu Susman3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, play a dual role in brain aneurysms and vascular malformations. Proinflammatory microglia worsen injury, while anti-inflammatory types may aid recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cerebrovascular Diseases

Background:

  • Brain aneurysms and vascular malformations are major causes of intracranial hemorrhage, leading to significant mortality and morbidity.
  • The role of microglia, the central nervous system's resident immune cells, in these cerebrovascular pathologies is increasingly recognized but not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current findings on the involvement of microglia in intracranial aneurysms and brain vascular malformations.
  • To elucidate the specific roles of different microglial phenotypes (pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory) in disease progression and outcomes.
  • To identify knowledge gaps and propose future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies investigating microglia in the context of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM), and cerebral cavernomas (CCM).
  • Analysis of evidence regarding the impact of activated proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory microglia on brain injury, vasospasm, and lesion resolution.

Main Results:

  • Proinflammatory microglia are implicated in exacerbating brain injury and vasospasm following SAH in both acute and chronic phases.
  • Anti-inflammatory microglia may contribute to the resolution of cerebral injury and hemorrhage.
  • High numbers of microglia are observed in bAVMs and CCMs, though their precise functions in these lesions require further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia exhibit complex, context-dependent roles in brain aneurysms and vascular malformations, influencing injury expansion and resolution.
  • Targeting microglial activation represents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing these cerebrovascular conditions.
  • Further research is crucial to fully delineate microglial functions and develop effective treatments.
Keywords:
brain arteriovenous malformationcerebral cavernous malformationmicrogliasubarachnoid hemorrhagevasospasm

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