Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025
A Model for Encephalomyosynangiosis Treatment after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Induced Stroke in Mice
Published on: June 22, 2022
Dimethyl Fumarate Modulates the Immune Environment and Improves Prognosis in the Acute Phase after Ischemic Stroke
Chunrui Bo1,2, Jingkai Li3, Junjie Wang4,5
1Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China, bochunrui1993@163.com.
Introduction:
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has shown potential for protection in various animal models of neurological diseases. However, the impact of DMF on changes in peripheral immune organs and the central nervous system (CNS) immune cell composition after ischemic stroke remains unclear.
Methods:
Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice with photothrombosis ischemia and patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were treated with DMF. TTC staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the infarct volume and changes in immune cells in the periphery and the CNS.
Results:
DMF reduced the infarct volume on day 1 after PT. DMF reduced the percentages of peripheral immune cells, such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, and monocytes, on day 1, followed by NK cells on day 3 and B cells on day 7 after PT. In the CNS, DMF significantly reduced the percentage of monocytes in the brain on day 3 after PT. In addition, DMF increased the number of microglia in the peri-infarct area and reduced the number of neurons in the peri-infarct area in the acute and subacute phases after PT. In AIS patients, B cells decreased in patients receiving alteplase in combination with DMF.
Conclusion:
DMF can change the immune environment of the periphery and the CNS, reduce infarct volume in the acute phase, promote the recruitment of microglia and preserve neurons in the peri-infarct area after ischemic stroke.
Insights
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) reduces brain infarct volume and alters immune cell composition in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS) following ischemic stroke, promoting beneficial microglial recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Ischemic Stroke Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) shows neuroprotective potential in animal models.
- The effects of DMF on immune cell dynamics in ischemic stroke are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of DMF on peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) immune cell composition after ischemic stroke.
- To evaluate DMF's effect on infarct volume and neuronal preservation.
Main Methods:
- Photothrombotic ischemia model in C57BL/6J mice and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with DMF.
- TTC staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining were employed.
Main Results:
- DMF reduced infarct volume and peripheral immune cells (neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, monocytes, NK cells, B cells) post-stroke.
- In the CNS, DMF decreased brain monocyte percentage, increased microglia in the peri-infarct area, and preserved neurons.
- AIS patients receiving DMF with alteplase showed decreased B cells.
Conclusions:
- DMF modulates the peripheral and CNS immune environment after ischemic stroke.
- DMF reduces acute infarct volume and promotes neuroprotection by enhancing microglial recruitment and preserving neurons.
