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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Assessment of Neuroimmune Interactions in a Mini-Stroke Murine Model
Published on: June 20, 2025
Microglia as Double-Edged Players in Ischemic Stroke
Shiyuan Lin1, Zejing Lin1, Ying Chen1
1Department of Neurology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, 350001 Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Abstract:
Stroke has long been a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. In recent years, more and more research has revealed that microglial responses to ischemic injury are highly heterogeneous and exhibit dynamic evolution over time, across brain regions, and under different metabolic states. This endows microglia with a dual regulatory role in both neurotoxicity and neuroprotection after ischemia: on one hand, they drive inflammatory responses, exacerbating secondary neuronal damage, blood-brain barrier disruption, and synaptic loss; on the other hand, they orchestrate debris clearance, vascular rebuilding, and neural repair. The traditional pro-inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory dichotomy is no longer sufficient to fully describe their complex functions. In this review we summarize recent advances in understanding the dual regulatory roles of microglia after ischemic stroke, with a focus on key mechanisms such as metabolic reprogramming, lipid metabolism regulation, inflammasome activation, and epigenetic modification. Furthermore, emerging therapeutic strategies targeting microglia and the challenges they face are discussed.
Insights
Microglia play a dual role in stroke, causing damage and promoting repair. Understanding their complex functions, including metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification, is key for developing new stroke therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Stroke is a major cause of death and disability.
- Microglial responses to ischemic injury are complex and dynamic.
- The traditional view of microglia as solely pro- or anti-inflammatory is insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding microglial dual roles after ischemic stroke.
- To highlight key mechanisms regulating microglial function.
- To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting microglia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on microglial responses in ischemic stroke.
- Focus on mechanisms including metabolic reprogramming, lipid metabolism, inflammasome activation, and epigenetic modification.
Main Results:
- Microglia exhibit heterogeneous and dynamic responses to ischemic injury.
- Microglia have dual roles: promoting neuroinflammation and exacerbating damage, but also facilitating repair and debris clearance.
- Key regulatory mechanisms include metabolic reprogramming, lipid metabolism, inflammasome activation, and epigenetic modification.
Conclusions:
- The dual role of microglia in ischemic stroke necessitates a nuanced understanding beyond simple pro- or anti-inflammatory classifications.
- Targeting specific microglial mechanisms offers promising therapeutic avenues.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in developing effective microglia-targeted therapies for stroke.
