Effects of astrocytes and microglia on neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury and related immunomodulatory strategies

Int Immunopharmacol. 2022 Jul:108:108754. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108754. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event which is still without adequate therapies. Neuroinflammation is the main pathogenesis of secondary damage post-SCI, leading to tissue loss and neurological dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that microglia and astrocytes are the major immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play a crucial role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses. In this study, we mainly review the effects of neuroinflammation in SCI, focusing on the contributions of microglia and astrocytes and their cross-talk. Furthermore, we will also discuss therapeutic strategies on how to regulate their immunophenotype to suppress robust inflammation and facilitate injury prognosis.

Keywords: Astrocyte; Immunoregulation; Microglia; Neuroinflammation; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / pathology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Microglia*
  • Neuroinflammatory Diseases
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries* / complications