Phenotype change of polarized microglia after intracerebral hemorrhage: Advances in research

What is it about?

In different time courses after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), microglia can be activated and polarized into two different states: classic M1-like phenotypes in the early stage and alternative M2-like phenotypes in long-term recovery. The mechanism of this phenotypic change is very complicated, including the influence of inflammatory mediators and microglia-astrocyte crosstalk. In this work, we encapsulate the M1-to-M2 microglial phenotype transition as well as its effects on post-ICH neuroinflammation, and describe potential therapeutic targets based on this feature.

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Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The microglia-mediated inflammation is considered as an important participant in pathophysiological changes after ICH. In response to the acute brain injury, the phenotype of activated microglia is dynamically changing: microglia tend to be polarized into M1 to exert a proinflammatory effect in the early stage, while may also be polarized towards M2 to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in long-term recovery. Considering this functional duality associated with the change of microglial phenotypes, inhibiting M1 polarization in the early stage or promoting a phenotypic switch of microglia at a later stage might shed light on the ICH treatment.