Research progress on the roles of neurovascular unit in stroke-induced immunosuppression / 浙江大学学报·医学版

ABSTRACT

A complex pathophysiological mechanism is involved in the brain injury following cerebral infarction. The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex multi-cellular structure consisting of endothelial cells , neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. The dyshomeostasis of NVU directly participates in the inflammatory immune regulation process. The components of NVU promote inflammatory overreaction and also synergize with the overactivation of autonomic nervous system to initiate stroke-induced immunosuppression (SIID). SIID can alleviate the damage caused by inflammation, however, it also makes stroke patients more susceptible to infection, leading to systemic damage and worsening the condition. This article reviews the mechanism of SIID and the roles of NVU components in SIID, to provide a perspective for recanalization, prognosis and immune regulation therapy of cerebral infarction.