Dynamics and heterogeneity of the neurovascular unit in ischemic stroke

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a multicellular system functioning to maintain healthy brain homeostasis and regulate the exchange of essential elements between the blood and the brain. Recent studies have shown that, in response to ischemic stroke (IS), the NVU undergoes dynamic structural remodeling and metabolic dysfunction, revealing new features of IS pathogenesis. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell multiomics provide emerging evidence regarding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of NVU responses to IS. To date, clinical treatments for IS-induced brain injury remain very limited. These new studies have advanced our knowledge of the dynamic cellular and molecular changes of the NVU after IS, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.