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Regulatory T Cells in Ischemic Brain Injury

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Non-Neuronal Mechanisms of Brain Damage and Repair After Stroke

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Translational Stroke Research ((SSTSR))

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Abstract

Inflammation is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of acute stroke and contributes substantially to secondary neuronal degeneration. Circulating leukocytes—particularly pro-inflammatory T cells—invading the ischemic brain contribute to post-stroke neuroinflammation and exacerbation of stroke outcome. However, a subpopulation of T cells, regulatory T cells (Treg), are potent immunosuppressant cells involved in resolution of tissue inflammation and have a key role in inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have identified a prominent role of Foxp3+ Treg cells in modulating the inflammatory response to acute brain ischemia and thereby contributing to stroke outcome. Most studies observed a neuroprotective function of Treg cells by inhibiting an overshooting immunological “collateral damage” after stroke and first Treg-targeted therapeutic strategies have been tested. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Treg cells in experimental and clinical stroke.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Klinikum der Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 17, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Arthur Liesz M.D.

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  1. Arthur Liesz M.D.
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Correspondence to Arthur Liesz M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Jun Chen

  2. Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders and Recovery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    John H. Zhang

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA

    Xiaoming Hu

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Liesz, A. (2016). Regulatory T Cells in Ischemic Brain Injury. In: Chen, J., Zhang, J., Hu, X. (eds) Non-Neuronal Mechanisms of Brain Damage and Repair After Stroke. Springer Series in Translational Stroke Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32337-4_11

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