Neuroscience · Single study
Brain immune cells interact with the blood-brain barrier
- The blood-brain barrier normally protects the brain by blocking substances from the bloodstream, but it works together with immune cells called microglia.
- When the body experiences metabolic or inflammatory problems, the barrier can weaken and allow blood factors to enter the brain, triggering immune responses.
- Understanding how microglia work at this barrier could help develop new treatments for stroke, infections, and diabetes-related brain problems.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience · 2024 — https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2024.1360195
Microglia at the blood brain barrier in health and disease
Blood–brain barrier function
The central nervous system (CNS) is a voracious consumer of energy and requires a constant and substantial supply of oxygen and glucose, as well as a means for removing detrimental byproducts associated with energy consumption. To meet these needs, the CNS comprises an extensive vascular network that delivers an uninterrupted flow of resources crucial to sustaining optimal function of the brain and spinal column. This vascular architecture also protects the brain by facilitating the removal of potentially harmful substances from the CNS compartment and preventing the ingress of neurotoxic factors from the peripheral blood. Known as the blood–brain barrier (BBB), this extraordinary and intricate biological construct stands as a highly selective and protective threshold that demarcates the juncture between the periphery and CNS.
Figure 1. Blood brain barrier (BBB) diagram. BBB structure is displayed with a cross-section indicating the arrangement of the endothelial cell, pericyte, basement membrane, perivascular macrophage (MΦ), astrocyte end-foot, neuron, and microglia. Basal lamina or basement membrane shown in red provides support and structure for BBB. Pericytes are embedded in the basement membrane of the vasculature mediating vessel development (Vanlandewijck et al., 2018), blood flow (McCaffrey et al., 2007), astrocyte end feet polarization (de Oliveira et al., 2020), and prevention of BBB leakage (Chehade et al., 2002). Between the vascular basement membrane and glial limitans perivascular MΦs surveil for foreign antigens and regulate macromolecule movement (Sheikh et al., 2022). Astrocyte end feet surround the vasculature and basal lamina producing factors contributing to the maintenance of the BBB and TJ expression (Nielsen et al., 1997; Sobue et al., 1999; Manley et al., 2000; Alvarez et al., 2011; Song et al., 2018). The vasculature receives signaling from neurons in the surrounding area altering local blood flow (Kuchler-Bopp et al., 1999). The legend displays: microglia, light blue; astrocytes, lilac; pericytes, green; perivascular macrophage, yellow; blood vessel, red; neuron, orange. This figure created with BioRender.com.
The BBB is composed of specialized brain endothelial cells and astrocyte end feet that form contacts with the endothelial cells. The astrocyte end foot processes form rosette-like structures on the surface of the endothelial cells maintaining the resting potential and water permissibility through passive water channel, aquaporin 4, and inward-rectifier Kir4.1 potassium channels. Astrocytes generate an inductive tightening influence on the endothelium through the production of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) that assist in forming a restrictive BBB by promoting endothelial expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins, occludin, claudins, and zonula occludens (ZO). Astrocytes also produce α-dystrobrevin, which contributes to BBB integrity through cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization. Together, these factors contribute to the formation and maintenance of the BBB by increasing expression of TJ proteins, that form a tight seal between endothelial cells and prevent the uncontrolled passage of substances between the peripheral blood and CNS. Additionally, several astrocytic-derived proteins, including bFGF, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and neurotrophic factors support a restrictive BBB through up-regulation of various transporters and TJs that limit passive transport of polar substances and enhances active transport of necessary nutrients into the CNS compartment and active efflux of toxic metabolites and other harmful substances.
Compared to other organs, brain endothelial cells have a higher expression of occludin, claudin-5, and ZO-1 and an intact BBB is vital for maintaining brain homeostasis. Many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with reduced BBB integrity, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however, the mechanisms underlying impaired BBB function and integrity are not fully understood. Oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction within cells comprising the BBB in the context of excessive and/or prolonged inflammation are posited to contribute significantly to BBB injury. Furthermore, metabolic stressors, such as hypercholesterolemia, have been reported to promote BBB disruption, with increased permeability and decreased claudin-5 and occludin transcription. Similarly, untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased expression of occludin and increased vascular permeability.
Unresolved inflammation can result in sustained and the production of multiple factors that contribute to decreased TJ expression and increased BBB permeability, including interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress, which arises when production of free radicals exceeds their neutralization, is a common complication of chronic inflammation and can have detrimental effects on the integrity of the BBB and further perpetuate inflammatory responses within the brain. Key contributing factors in the development of oxidative stress include the generation of AGEs and ROS, as a result of excessive aerobic glucose metabolism. These molecules activate the NF-κB pathway, which in turn promotes expression of MMP-9. This enzyme breaks down the extracellular matrix, promoting BBB instability. NF-κB activation also results in upregulation of several cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, all of which are closely associated with inflammation.
In the context of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, endothelial cells forming the BBB exhibit heightened levels of adhesion and transmigration molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), E-selectin, and P-selectin. Additionally, there is an increase in circulating chemoattractant molecules, like monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and IL-8. Notably, MCP-1, also known as chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), plays a pivotal role in promoting BBB instability by facilitating the recruitment of monocytes/MΦs into CNS compartment and contributing to the reorganization of TJ and the actin cytoskeleton. Taken together, the activation of oxidative and inflammatory pathways in cerebral endothelial cells provides a crucial route for translating peripheral inflammatory and oxidative stress signals through the BBB into the brain parenchyma. This mechanism underscores the intricate relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and BBB integrity, all of which are critical factors in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Microglia function
Microglia, the resident MΦ and principal immune cell of the CNS, play a multifaceted role beyond their conventional immune function. They contribute significantly to various aspects of brain function, including brain development, learning and memory processes, and the maintenance of CNS homeostasis. Microglia continuously survey the brain by extending long processes that allow them to assess changes in the microenvironment. The area of microglial surveillance is further increased through induction of thin filopodia that extend from the larger processes and dynamically extend and retract. This movement is facilitated by localized cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and enables microglia to monitor changes in their microenvironment and quickly respond to molecular cues. In their role as primary immune cell of the CNS, they are crucial for maintaining a “clean” microenvironment by preventing the accumulation of cellular debris and metabolic waste products.
Importantly, microglia are not limited to immune functions alone. They also strengthen brain function through synapse organization and are key participants in the development and maintenance of neural circuitry by pruning of excess neuronal synapses. Microglia also support neovascularization within the CNS by providing a structural framework for growing and developing vessels. While not traditionally associated with the BBB, microglia do interact and communicate with brain vascular endothelial cells. This interaction becomes particularly relevant when considering the regulation of solutes, chemicals, and foreign antigens entering the brain parenchyma. While a healthy, intact BBB tightly restricts the movement of these substances into the CNS compartment, these, and other myeloid-responsive factors, such as cytokines, are not fully restricted from entering the CNS, which may compromise BBB integrity through stimulation of perivascular MΦs and microglia. Additionally, even metabolic factors, like glucose levels can impact microglial activity. Conditions, such as diabetes or hyperglycemia, can lead to increased microglial reactivity, marked by upregulation of various molecules and pathways associated with glucose transport and sensing and inflammation and oxidative stress.
As innate immune cells, microglia function as mediators in response to brain stress and injury. This is evidenced by changes in microglial morphology and transcriptional profiles, which are influenced by molecular signals encountered during their surveillance. Resting microglia typically display long, ramified processes; however, exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, stimulate the retraction of these processes, allowing the cells to become “amoeboid” in their movement, which is driven by several signaling molecules, including extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), dead cells, and cellular debris. Notably, inflammatory conditions may lead to a positive feedback loop in microglia, resulting in the secretion of proinflammatory mediators, which can be neurotoxic and worsen existing damage. Polarization of microglia to a reactive state can have pathological implications. The underlying cause of immune polarization is not clear but may involve the continued presence of “on” signaling mediators, such as proinflammatory factors, and/or the absence of “off” signaling activity through CD200, CD47, and/or CX3C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1). Identifying the processes involved in chronic microglial activation is crucial in understanding neurodegenerative and neuropathological diseases, as prolonged inflammation often plays a role in these conditions.
Microglia and brain endothelial cells
Microglia originate from yolk-sac and begin to populate the CNS early in embryonic development and before the formation of the BBB. During this early stage, microglial seeding of the CNS plays a crucial role in influencing the direction of vascular growth in the developing brain. Microglia are also known to closely follow vascular sprouts and establish associations with endothelial cells. One intriguing theory suggests that colonizing microglia are guided by a fractalkine gradient, which is sensed through the microglial fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1, which helps guide microglia along the developing vasculature. Interestingly, during this developmental phase, astrocytes have not yet encapsulated the vasculature, allowing microglial processes to contact the endothelium, facilitating more direct interactions between microglia and the blood vessels. Around 18–24 gestational weeks, approximately 38% of microglia are seen in close proximity to blood vessels, with their soma located about 30 μm from the vessel. This proximity allows for more direct interactions between microglia and the endothelial cells compared to the mature brain, where such interactions are more transient under resting surveilling conditions.
It is worth noting that there are distinctions between capillary-associated and parenchymal microglia, however, parenchymal microglia can transition to capillary-associated microglia. Capillary-associated microglia (CAMs) are characterized by expression of CX3CR1 and their interactions with purines released from pannexin-1 (PANX1) channels. The coupling of PANX1 with P2Y purinoceptor 12 (P2RY12) in resting microglia helps maintain optimal capillary diameter, cerebral blood flow, and vascular responsiveness. Studies employing advanced imaging techniques, such as confocal laser scanning microscopy and immune-electron microscopy, of CX3CR1tdTomato microglia reporter mice have demonstrated that microglial processes cover approximately 15% of the endothelial cell surface. These processes express the P2RY12 receptor and make direct contact with smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and endothelial cells of the vasculature.
CAMs also participate in the regulation of cerebral blood flow through CX3CR1 and P2RY12 activity. A retinal study found evidence that microglia fractalkine-CX3CR1 signaling is vasoconstrictive. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS), secreted in large amounts by activated microglia, can activate the Rho-kinase pathway, leading to pericyte contraction and inhibition of vasodilation, thus promoting vasoconstriction. Microglial P2RY12 can also be stimulated by purinergic signaling of cells comprising the neurovascular unit, inducing changes in cerebral blood flow through vasodilation. This aspect of microglia-mediated blood flow signaling was briefly reviewed by Dufort et al..
Endothelial cells of the BBB also respond to injury and inflammation, which would, presumably, influence microglial activation. Endothelial cells possess immune capabilities, including recruitment of immune cells into the CNS compartment via toll-like receptors (TLR) and chemokine receptors. For example, when activation of endothelial TLR2 induces production of inflammatory mediators and chemoattractants, such as IL-6, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and IL-8, which can further immune responses by acting on neighboring microglia and perivascular macrophages. Importantly, damage to the endothelial cell layer and/or inflammatory stimuli from the peripheral blood in circulation can also prompt microglia activation and migration to the vasculature.
At the brain vasculature, microglia exhibit a critical balance between protective and detrimental roles in neuroinflammation and BBB integrity. Recent evidence of microglial expression of the TJ protein, claudin-5, at the vasculature was observed in a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mouse model. Following induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon alpha (INF-α), c-c chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) facilitated the movement of microglia to the vasculature. The directed movement of microglia toward injured or stimulated vasculature underscores a protective mechanism aimed at shielding the brain from neurotoxic factors; however, activated microglia can increase BBB permeability and vascular leakage, potentially through the release of proinflammatory mediators and generation of ROS. Such activities highlight the dual nature of microglial engagement with the BBB, where on one side, they aid in the recovery of BBB permeability by limiting the infiltration of peripheral factors into the CNS parenchyma, yet on the other, they contribute to BBB dysfunction.
The pathological impact of activated microglia on the BBB is suggested through the impact of inflammatory factors on endothelial TJ protein expression, which are increased in the context of microglial activation. Proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as ROS, have been implicated in the disruption of BBB integrity, marked by downregulation of TJ proteins, occludin, claudin-5, and ZO-1. Experimental models have demonstrated that primary murine microglia, when stimulated with amyloid beta before co-culture with mouse brain endothelial cells, induce BBB damage. This damage was mediated through the release of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO), which diminished the expression of TJ protein. Conversely, unstimulated microglia appear to bolster the expression of TJ proteins within co-cultured endothelial cells, demonstrating a protective or restorative role of microglia in BBB integrity. Adding complextity to BBB-microglia interaction, a study by Krasnow et al., revealed that murine brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to IL-1β before co-cultured with microglia, amplifies inflammatory gene expression in microglia, as compared to IL-1β exposure of isolated microglia. This suggests a bidirectional communication mechanism between endothelial cells and microglia, further emphasizing the intricate relationship between neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and BBB functionality.
This body of evidence collectively underscores the nuanced and multifaceted role of microglia in neuroinflammation and BBB regulation. Understanding the balance between protective and harmful microglial functions is essential for developing therapeutic strategies targeting neurodegenerative diseases and systemic inflammatory conditions. The interplay between microglia, TJ proteins, and inflammatory mediators offers potential avenues for intervention aimed at preserving or restoring BBB integrity. Accordingly, the interaction between cells of the BBB and microglia is an emerging field of interest, particularly in the context of systemic diseases and viral infections that indirectly impact immune responses in the brain through endothelial and microglia cell activation. This review delves into the complex interactions at the BBB among microglia, endothelial cells, and other vascular components, alongside their engagement with peripheral blood. We also highlight critical knowledge gaps that need to be bridged to enhance therapeutic strategies focused on rejuvenating brain health.
Stroke
The brain is highly vascularized and particularly vulnerable to stroke, which occurs when the blood supply in the brain is disrupted. Stroke is a complex neurovascular disease that is often associated with comorbidities, such as elevated glucose and/or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and natural aging. This multifaceted predisposition for stroke can be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of endothelial cells, which undergo a transformation from an anticoagulant to procoagulant phenotype. This transformation involves increased or de novo expression of adhesion molecules, including E-selectin, P-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). It is increasingly clear that the initiation of strokes can be traced back to events occurring within the blood and at the endothelial cell layer of the BBB.
Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the continuous flow of blood in the brain is interrupted suddenly, due to a blocked or ruptured artery, respectively. Cell death can result as a consequence of the damage caused by the rupture and subsequent bleeding in the brain, as well as the disrupted blood flow that prevents the delivery of oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain. Neuroinflammation in the context of stroke is multifactorial and includes endothelium.
Endothelial cell injury within the stroke site and surrounding area triggers a series of molecular signaling events and protein expression that stimulates microglia, which attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the stroke. Inflammation-associated transcripts may be enriched in endothelial cells following a stroke, as observed in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion mouse models. This enrichment corresponds with increased cytokine and chemokine activity and immunoglobulin Fc-gamma receptor I complex binding that may further inflammation. For example, signaling through the chemokine receptor, CCR2, or Fc receptor promote inflammation through upregulation of the IL-6 pathway, leading to activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by ischemic endothelium. The proinflammatory transcriptional shift and BBB breach prompts microglia to migrate to the area of injury. Within hours of a stroke or modeled laser-ablated vessel, microglia begin their journey toward the affected region, which is prompted by a variety of signaling molecules, including fractalkine and the purine, ATP, extracellular peroxiredoxin (prx6), several Rho guanosine triphosphate hydrolyases (GTPases), like Rac, Cdc42, and Rho, CXCL12, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). Importantly, irrespective of endothelial activation, CAMs respond to severely reduced blood flow, shifting to an activated state with morphological changes that support their migration. Accumulating microglia in the periinfarct region exhibit diverse activation states with alternatively activated, phagocytic microglia, as well as classically activated microglia, characterized by upregulation of proinflammatory mediators. The microglial responses are designed to engulf cell debris, mediate repair, and reduce the neurotoxic effects of localized necrosis and infiltrating blood components, but may not fully resolve injury, which may promote a perpetuating cycle of microglial activation and BBB injury. Indeed, a non-resolved stroke is associated with persistent secondary inflammation, with profound impacts on pre-existing neurological conditions or subsequent brain injury.
Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, can result from various factors, including blood clots (thrombi) and vascular plaques. Ischemic events result in two distinct regions of injury: the infarct core, which represents irreversibly damaged tissue, and the penumbra, where tissue damage may be reversible. Beyond the penumbra, the infarct region undergoes rapid necrosis, due to the lack of oxygen, resulting in a hypoxic environment. Hypoxia stabilizes the oxygen-regulated alpha subunit of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α), which translocates to the nucleus, where it binds with the constituently expressed beta subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1β), forming the transcription factor, HIF-1. HIF-1 binds hypoxia response element (HRE) in promoter regions of target genes, influencing angiogenesis, cell proliferation, erythropoiesis, and cell metabolism, as well as a initiating inflammatory responses and compromising BBB integrity. HIF-1α stabilization/upregulation is associated with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and multiple chemokines in brain endothelial cells along with other transcriptional changes. The temporal sequence and regulation of HIF-1-dependent downstream proteins play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and recovery of stroke, potentially affecting the balance between inflammatory and angiogenetic responses.
Innate immune responses within the CNS are also impacted by HIF-1α stabilization downstream of transcriptional activities of HIF-1. Oxygen and glucose deprivation lead to the stabilization and/or upregulation of microglial HIF-1α, which, in turn, results in increased autophagy, TLR4, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome formation, suggesting HIF-1 contributes to the proinflammatory phenotype of microglia after a stroke event. While this is neuroprotective during the early stages of a stroke, sustained and/or expanded microglial activation can have detrimental consequence with prolonged neurotoxicity.
Microglia contribute significantly to proinflammation early after the onset of stroke. Initial signaling events that further BBB breakdown or dysfunction after stroke are not completely clear, but likely result from multiple simultaneous events during the initial barrier disruption. Endothelial cells may mediate early inflammatory responses through expression of proinflammatory factors, like IL-1β, that activate microglia. Studies in mice lacking endothelial P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and ICAM-1 demonstrate a reduction in activated microglia in the brain parenchyma, indicating a bidirectional communication of inflammation activation stemming from the endothelium.
In addition to the acute injury, inflammation after stroke contributes to secondary cell injury, mediated, at least in part to NLRP3 inflammasome formation in microglia, MΦs located within the perivascular space, and endothelial cells themselves. Inflammasome activation initiates a cascade of inflammation that perpetuates proinflammatory responses by myeloid and endothelial cells, which can be cytotoxic. For example, following ischemic stroke, microglial expression of TNF-α induces endothelial necroptosis in a rat model. Importantly, endothelial inflammasome activation is a key factor in BBB disruption and endothelial cell death after stroke, which may be triggered by microglial secretion of IL-1β. This may point to the receptor for IL-1β, IL-1R1, as a viable therapeutic target for reducing BBB damage after ischemic reperfusion injury.
The inflammasome inflammatory cascade may be further intensified by HIF-1α feed-back loops with cytokines like IL-6, which is upregulated in proinflammatory conditions and with HIF-1α stabilization. This suggests that exacerbated inflammatory responses can persist even after the restoration of oxygen to the area of injury, as high levels of proinflammatory cytokines can re-stabilize HIF-1α, perpetuating the transcriptional signaling cascade.
Because microglia have varied effects on BBB recovery and repair after stroke, attempts to remedy excessive inflammation and secondary injury by inhibiting or depleting microglia populations, have yielded mixed results. Pharmacologically induced depletion of resident microglia with tamoxifen and diphtheria toxin prior to the induction of ischemic stroke in a mouse model resulted in a decreased infarct volume and levels of pro-inflammatory factors. Conversely, administration of the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor, PLX3397, in a mouse model of stroke eliminated microglia, resulting in increased infarct size, neuronal signaling dysregulation, and cell death, which was reversed markedly by microglial repopulation. A separate study employing the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ki20227, with activity on CSF-1R, to inhibit microglial proliferation exacerbated microglial activation and neuronal injury after transient global cerebral ischemia. Temporarily depleting microglia with liposome-encapsulated clodronate injected intracerebrally lasted 3 days with reappearance of microglia after 5 days. The model displayed increased proinflammatory cytokine levels and damaged blood vessel integrity. Together, these studies demonstrate microglial depletion is not a viable strategy for recovery after stroke and emphasizes the significance of microglia in recovery. Importantly, stimulation of CSF-1R with its cognate ligand, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), is a critical factor in microglial function and promotes M2-like activation, which is key for resolving inflammation and tissue repair. Due to the complexity of microglial function in maintaining brain homeostasis and roles in injury response and repair, beneficial strategies that eliminate microglia or prevent interconversion of activation states seem unlikely.
Interestingly, inhibition of microglial activation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with minocycline reduced reperfusion injury. In rats assessed 2–4 weeks after ischemic injury, minocycline improved perfusion, reduced BBB permeability with higher levels of TJ proteins, and decreased the frequency of proinflammatory microglia, shifting their activation to an M2-like, or anti-inflammatory, phenotype with upregulation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β) and IL-10 and decreased TNF-α and IL-1β. Additionally, a transient MCAO CX3cr1-Cre mouse model with conditional knock-in overexpression of the chloride transmembrane transporter, Swell1, resulted in anti-inflammatory microglial activation and reduced brain injury. Brain and serum from Cre-Swell1 mice had lower levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ and increased levels of anti-inflammatory, IL-4 and IL-10, as compared to control animals. Further exploration demonstrated that Swell1 overexpression in a mouse microglial cell line, BV2 cells, cultured in a hypotonic environment to activate chlorine channels, activated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) transcription factors and the negative regulator of the NLRP3 inflammasome, WNK lysine deficient protein kinase 1 (WNK1). This study revealed that chlorine sensing signal pathways promte an anti-inflammatory responses by microglia, reducing injury and inflammation after stroke. Similarly, using a heterogeneous CX3cr-cre and loxP flanking site transgenic mouse model upregulating zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in microglia reduces CNS inflammation and neutrophil infiltration into the brain after transient MCAO. ZEB1 regulates the development of the immune system and modulates cell differentiation. Targeted microglial expression of ZEB1 in this model had reduced vascular injury, as suggested by less Evans blue extravasation into the brain, as compared to wildtype mice with transient MCAO.
Typical of myeloid responses to injury, microglia demonstrate varied functions and activation states following stroke. A subpopulation of arginase 1 (Arg1)-expressing microglia exhibits an anti-inflammatory phenotype, with expression of IL-10 and TGF-β, and promotes recovery from stroke injury. Notably, deletion of Arg1+ microglia promotes neuroinflammation in stroke models, emphasizing the importance of reducing neuroinflammation and balancing microglia activation in recovery. Intranasal treatment of salvinorin A, a highly selective non-opioid kappa opioid receptor agonist, reduced neuroinflammation and BBB permeability in transient MCAO mice. Animals sacrificed 5 days after transient MCAO and treatment with salvinorin A demonstrated increased density of microglia near the infarction in the cortex and corpus striatum but with fewer microglia expressing CD16, a marker for pro-inflammatory microglia/macrophages in the cortex. These findings suggest that dampening pro-inflammatory microglial activation is beneficial for restoring BBB integrity and may improve recovery following stroke. Administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which restores blood flow by dissolving blood clots, is considered the ‘gold standard’ for ischemic stroke and has saved the lives of countless lives and improved patient outcomes. Animal studies, however, have shown tPA can increase recruitment of peripheral immune cells to the site of injury that can contribute to secondary disruption of BBB and ischemic-related hemorrhagic bleeds of peripheral blood entering through the disrupted BBB. This may be averted through co-treatment with IFN-β, which has been shown to expand the Arg1+ microglial subset and reduce infarct volume and BBB disruption.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a chronic and serious health condition characterized by poor control of blood glucose levels. It arises from insufficient insulin production and/or impaired cell responses to insulin, resulting various adverse effects throughout the body, including the brain. Cognitive decline is a significant comorbidity of disease, particularly among individuals over the age of 65 years. Notably, diabetes increases the risk for development of AD, vascular dementia (VD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The mechanisms underlying diabetes-associated cognitive decline are not completely clear but are associated with neurodegeneration and macro- and microvascular injury. Neuropathology investigations confirm an increased burden of cerebrovascular injury in the context of diabetes, as well as pathological changes associated with the perivascular space and surrounding parenchyma.
Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose levels, contributes to endothelial dysfunction, adversely affecting BBB integrity and triggering inflammatory responses in microglia. Additionally, increased cellular uptake of glucose leads to heightened mitochondrial respiration, resulting in elevated ROS production that can further inflammation and cell injury. For example, studies conducted in murine b.End.3 endothelial cells have shown that hyperglycemia influences redox enzymes and oxidative stress, inducing the activation of proinflammatory signaling pathways NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Hyperglycemia also contributes to oxidative stress through increased glucose metabolism. Elevated blood glucose in DM is a consequence of impaired production of or response to insulin, which facilitates glucose uptake. This results in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and increased glucose levels, which, in turn, can promote increased intracellular glucose metabolism, leading to oxidative stress, kallikrein-bradykinin activation, and secretion of inflammatory cytokines.
Excess glucose in circulation interacts with the microvascular and endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperglycemia is strongly associated with inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress. Endothelial cells exposed to high glucose levels induce expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, as well as MMPs 2 and 9. In vitro evidence has shown that high-glucose-induced calcium (Ca2+) secretion leads to fragmented mitochondria, resulting in increased ROS production and ERK 1/2 activation. While these data support the notion that high glucose contributes to reduced BBB integrity, at least in part through endothelial injury, there are conflicting reports on the endothelial barrier or TJ protein expression in the context of hyperglycemia. One study that utilized the Ins2AKITA mouse model of type 1 diabetes showed no appreciable difference in BBB integrity, as compared to wildtype animals. Conversely, leptin receptor deficient db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes demonstrated increased BBB permeability, as compared to db/+ control mice. These seemingly conflicting reports may reflect differences in diabetes modeling. The Ins2AKITA mouse has a single point mutation that causes misfolding of the insulin protein, resulting in the death of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells and reduced insulin secretion without significant weight gain. The db/db mouse contains a mutation in the leptin receptor, which impairs its normal function regulating appetite, leading to obesity and insulin resistance. While both models develop worsening disease with age, the db/db mouse may experience more severe vascular pathology with added weight-related comorbidity. It is important to note, however, that other in vitro and in vivo investigations suggest high glucose levels can directly impact BBB integrity through reduced TJ proteins. A study examining b.End.3 cells exposed to high glucose levels in vitro demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in permeability, with increased HIF-1α and decreased expression of the TJ proteins, ZO-1 and occludin. Additionally, a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes rat model, which also results in reduced insulin through β cell loss, was reported to have showed decreased endothelial ZO-1 and occludin and increased MMP activity in blood, suggesting changes in vascular permeability can be a direct consequence of high blood glucose.
Poor vascular health in diabetes patients is associated with an increased risk for stroke and experience worse stroke outcomes than non-diabetic patients. STZ-induced diabetic mice fed a high fat diet showed increased vascular leakage following MCAO, as compared to control mice. This may be due to impaired endothelial function in diabetes, which may be further complicated by chronic activation of microglia around the vasculature and parenchyma. Microglia activation following ischemic events is exacerbated in hyperglycemic conditions with increased expression of proinflammatory mediators. Chronic pre-existing inflammation and imbalances in ROS/antioxidant production worsen stroke outcomes in diabetic patients and animal models with increased microglia activation and inflammation. Some studies have explored antioxidant protection as a potential strategy for preventing endothelial cell injury induced by high glucose, exploiting the action of the transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Nrf2 plays a pivotal role in stimulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes, metabolizing free radicals, and inhibiting inflammation. Under homeostatic conditions, Nrf2 is bound to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and targeted for degradation through ubiquitination. When oxidative stress conditions arise, the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1 is disrupted, liberating Nrf2 to bind antioxidant response elements in the DNA. This leads to an increase in the activity of the glutathione-dependent enzymes, glutathione reductase and glutamate-cysteine ligase, and the glutamate/cystine antiporter, which are critical in the production of reduced glutathione, which plays a vital role in neutralizing ROS. Notably, Nrf2 provides an antioxidant response that is activated with both hyperglycemia endothelial cell in vitro models and an in vivo high fat diet mouse model. Hyperglycemia triggers an oxidative stress response that prompts Nrf2 to regulate antioxidant genes, detoxifying ROS. Interestingly, even under hypoglycemic conditions, Nrf2 expression is activated; however, prolonged hypoglycemia can reduce Nrf2 activity.
Poorly managed therapeutic insulin can cause diabetic patients to experience broad fluctuations in glucose concentrations, ranging from hyperglycemic to hypoglycemic states. Both extremes can result in endothelial damage and inflammation. One study demonstrated that upregulation of Nrf2-regulated genes was inhibited in insulin-treated cerebral endothelial cells after 6 h of high glucose exposure, suggesting that insulin treatment can prevent or reduce oxidative stress. Insulin facilitates the increased expression of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLc), the rate limiting enzyme in the initial step of glutathione assembly. This mechanism reveals how insulin can mitigate the increased formation of ROS in the context of high glucose. The resolution of hyperglycemia with insulin treatment is also shown to decrease circulating proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL6, IL-1β, and the chemokine IL-8 to or near normal control levels.
The adverse effects of diabetes extend beyond the endothelium, as hyperglycemic conditions impact microglia activation, leading to increased proinflammatory cytokine production and ROS formation in both the endothelium and parenchymal microglia. Chronic hyperglycemia induces an increase in microglia frequency in the hippocampus, indicating that excess glucose prompts their migration and proinflammatory activation. This is supported by in vitro evidence demonstrating that hyperglycemic conditions induce a proinflammatory phenotype in BV-2 microglia cells. Moreover, hyperinsulinemia, a phenomenon associated with insulin resistance, results in high levels of insulin and glucose in blood, leading to an increase in the release of proinflammatory cytokines, promoting microglial proliferation and proinflammatory polarization in vivo. Although many studies primarily focus on the impact of high glucose, it’s worth noting that fluctuations in glucose levels can also have significant effects. In a BV-2 in vitro model, shifting from a high to normal glucose concentrations kept microglia in a proinflammatory and metabolically stressed state, with increased signs of autophagy. Interestingly, an in vivo mouse study altered the age at which hyperglycemia was induced, resulting in varying degrees of neuroinflammation. Younger mice exposed to a prolonged high-fat diet and hyperglycemia showed increased insulin, glucose, and frequency of activated microglia in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation and cornu ammonis of the hippocampus. Similar to the endothelial dysfunction in diabetes, the metabolic changes observed in microglia are mediated through signaling cascades involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK), PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB.
Systemic inflammation
Inflammation within the CNS is commonly associated with brain microvasculature injuries and dysfunction, as previously described. Interestingly, even infectious entities with little to no CNS penetrance can stimulate inflammatory responses within the brain parenchyma, suggesting a role for systemic inflammation in the etiopathogenesis of neuroinflammation. Despite the BBB acting as a restrictive barrier, endothelial cells participate in mediating inflammation in the brain by communicating immunological signals to perivascular MΦs and neighboring microglia, which can extend to parenchymal cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β released in response to invading pathogens, as well as inflammatory conditions, can also traverse the BBB through saturable transport mechanisms. Saturable transport varies for each molecule, depending on blood concentration and endothelial cell receptors. While some molecules are taken up by endothelial cells, others are able to cross into the brain parenchyma. Notably, plasma from aged individuals can promote VCAM-1 expression on endothelial cells, subsequently activating microglia. VCAM-1 activation promotes active leukocyte infiltration and is an indicator of endothelial activation.
In the healthy brain, microglia are normally restricted from blood factors. Acute injury and/or neurodegenerative disease processes may weaken BBB integrity and allow the entry of blood products into the CNS compartment and stimulate microglial activation. To explore the direct impact of blood factors on microglia stimulation, without the added influence of other cells, Mendiola et al. injected wild type mouse plasma into the corpus callosum of recipient mice brains, triggering microglia transcriptional changes in microtubule organization, oxidative phosphorylation, gene expression, protein folding, cell proliferation, chromosome organization, and cell response to stress. Interestingly, injection of plasma derived from fibrinogen alpha chain deficient (Fga)−/− mice revealed significantly downregulated genes associated with ROS, like Hmox1, Cox7a2, Slc25a5, and disease associated genes, Ccl12, Rps8, Rpl35, Atp5e, PSmd2, and Tubb5, as compared to wildtype injected plasma. This may suggest that the coagulation factor, fibrinogen, is a key driver of microglial activation in stroke or milder hemorrhagic events in the CNS.
Circulating red blood cells (RBCs), themselves, may also stimulate BBB responses and microglial activation in the context of aging or stress. Zhang et al. demonstrate this using two-photon microscopy on male Tie2-GFP mice, expressing green fluorescent protein in endothelial cells. Animals injected with PKH26-labeled t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) treated RBCs, to induce oxidative stress, demonstrated an increase in the number of stalled or unmoving RBCs and reduced blood flow velocity in the cerebral vasculature within 1–4 h and 24-h after RBC injection, as compared to control animals injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Although increased BBB leakage was not observed, hemosiderin-iron deposits, a by-product of RBC breakdown were increased in the brain parenchyma of animals injected with stressed RBCs. Microglial activation was also seen in close proximity to vessels and stalled t-BHP-treated RBCs.
Injury to the BBB and CNS can result from peripheral inflammatory conditions such as organ failure and systemic inflammatory diseases, which introduce toxic metabolites into circulation that negatively impact brain health and function. For example, liver dysfunction or failure impacts the ability of the liver to filter toxic substances, such as waste products from digestion, which can result in hepatic encephalopathy. In a mouse model of hepatic encephalopathy, reduced expression of neuronal fractalkine, a molecule that promotes ‘off’ signaling to microglia, resulted in elevated microglia activation, with increased expression of CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α, which was also seen in a hepatic injury modeled by a bile duct ligation. Similarly, a model of acute pancreatitis displayed activated microglia, indicating crosstalk between the periphery and parenchymal microglial across BBB.
Like circulating neurotoxic factors, systemic inflammation may also promote CNS injury and dysfunction. A model of persistent circulating IL-12 but without direct injury to the brain or BBB demonstrated elevated TNF-α and IFN-γ within the circulation and brain. This was associated with microglial MHC-II upregulation and increased brain CCR2 expression, promoting recruitment of monocytes and CD8+ T cells from the peripheral blood into the CNS compartment. additionally, a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis was shown to induce systemic inflammation and microglial activation, with inflammatory factors, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-21, elevated in the peripheral blood and brain. Isolating the effect of specific blood factors on microglia activity is difficult and likely complex. Importantly, potential contributions of endothelial cells on neuroinflammation were not included in a number of these studies, which may reveal key insight into the mechanistic pathways of neuroinflammatory activation from the periphery. Importantly, further investigation to identify early, preclinical CNS involvement during peripheral organ injury and/or failure and systemic inflammation is needed, as this is likely to provide the greatest promise for therapeutic intervention.
Bacterial infections can occur throughout the body, and in severe inflammatory conditions, such as sepsis, acute or severe neurological disorders, described as sepsis-associated encephalopathy, may develop. Sepsis patients exhibit upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which catalyzes NOS production from L-arginine, in endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia, suggesting a proinflammatory state. Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that systemic bacterial infection or challenges with bacterial LPS can promote pathological changes within the CNS, with increase neuronal cell death and microglial activation, resulting in cognitive decline. It’s worth noting that patients with sepsis exhibit activated microglia in the absence of any chronic neurodegeneration disorder. Importantly, microglia activation is seen in both systemic bacterial infection with inflammation and without significant peripheral inflammation. Moreover, microglia return to their “resting” morphology after systemic bacterial infection, even though the brain shows elevated proinflammatory mediators, including INF-γ, IL-1β, and IL-12, suggesting microglial inflammatory responses are not fully resolved and remain in a primed state that can augment microglial responses in the context of subsequent stimuli. This same study found that cerebral vasculature experiences prolonged up-regulation of MHCI and MHCII, following systemic bacterial infection, suggesting cells of the vasculature also remain in a primed state. The inflammation of the endothelial cells raises the possibility of BBB leakiness, potentially allowing inflammatory mediators, including bacterial products to enter the brain parenchyma and further stimulate microglial immune responses.
Additional evidence of systemic inflammation effecting the CNS is seen in a mouse model of intraperitoneal LPS injection, which revealed morphological changes in microglia after 3 h, suggestive of an activated state, that persisted up to one week post injection. The most significant morphological changes and microglia density were seen in the substantia nigra, which also correlated with TNF-α receptor 1 expression. Interestingly, BBB disruption and permeability were greatest in brain regions with higher microglia density. In a separate mouse study, repeated LPS, given intravenously over four consecutive days, revealed BBB disruption and increased density of activated microglia. Microglia persisted in an activated state 3 days after the final exposure to LPS, suggesting involvement of other factors in maintaining microglial activation. While the mechanisms underlying LPS-mediated reduction in BBB integrity and microglial activation are not well defined, peripheral exposure of mice to LPS was shown to induce rapid activation of endothelial NF-kB through TLR4 stimulation. Consequently, microglia activation occurs after endothelial cell activation, which suggest the endothelial cells may mediate inflammation and BBB disruption.
In the context of existing neuroinflammatory disease, infection, organ injury/failure, and/or systemic inflammation, can perpetuate further cerebral vascular and CNS injury. In mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to model PD, intraperitoneal LPS exposure increased microglia activation and decreased expression of occludin, increasing BBB permeability. Similarly, in a rat MCAO model, repeated doses of LPS peripheral injections over 8 h increased microglia frequency, leukocyte infiltrate, and ischemic injury that was seen 3 days after MCAO. Together, these studies demonstrate that existing injury in the brain increases an individuals risk for further and/or prolonged injury with infection and other diseases that are do not directly impact the CNS.
Similar to bacteria, systemic viral infections often lead to marked expression of proinflammatory cytokines and vascular complications, such as thrombosis and/or hypoxemia. A recent example of this is infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although SARS-CoV-2 was originally hypothesized to induce neurological symptoms, such as loss of smell and taste and altered consciousness, through direct infection of the brain, multiple case reports demonstrate little to no virus within the CNS compartment, including among patients that died due to severe disease. Virus has been reported in brain endothelium or olfactory epithelium/mucosa in infected human subjects and non-human primates (NHPs), however, this does not extend to cells residing within the brain parenchyma. Although these findings do not conclusively rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection of the CNS, the evidence suggests that it is unlikely and neurological manifestations of infection may be largely due to systemic inflammatory responses to infection, as well as peripheral organ injury. Importantly, a study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in aged, diabetic NHPs revealed infection of neurons within the olfactory cortex and interconnected regions. The translation of these findings to human disease is unclear, but suggest existing vascular injury, reduced BBB integrity, and/or neuroinflammation in the context of diabetes and advanced age, may increase an individual’s risk for CNS infection.
With limited information supporting SARS-CoV-2 infection of the brain, neuroinflammation appears to be a consequence of vascular disturbances and activation of inflammatory mediators. The saturable transport of proinflammatory cytokines across the BBB suggest that some proinflammatory cytokines freely enter the brain parenchyma, while others activate endothelial cells. This raises the possibility that other infections that primarily affect the periphery may not have been thoroughly examined for their neurological impact in human disease. For example, non-neurotropic mouse adapted influenza viral infections, such as CA/09 H1N1, maHK68 H7N7, and A/PR/8/34 H1N1, have been shown to increase microglia accumulation and activation. Interestingly, this is seen in some models without evidence of leukocyte infiltration or reduced BBB integrity.
Examining the immunomodulatory impact of pre-existing proinflammatory conditions, such as stress, on subsequent infection, rats subjected to chronic psychosocial stress followed by systemic exposure of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (polyl:C) to mimic infection, experienced prolonged and increased pain sensitivity, or allodynia, and depressive-like behavior, as compared to control animals, as well as enhanced microglia activation. This suggests that existing comorbidities associated with chronic inflammation, such as aging, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, may augment microglia responses to subsequent infection, potentially through endothelial cell activation that stimulates microglial involvement at the BBB. Furthermore, it may be crucial to consider the impact of viral infection at different developmental stages. For instance, neonatal male mice challenged with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) demonstrated behavioral deficits, accompanied by increased microglial phagocytic activity and loss of excitatory synapses. This study underscores the importance of exploring the consequences of systemic infection on the establishment of neural circuitry in the developing brain, which has significant microglial involvement.
Potential therapeutic strategies
Inflammation and heightened metabolic activity in the cells comprising the BBB play a pivotal role in exacerbating injury and damage resulting from stroke, as well as that associated with comorbid conditions that cause chronic systemic inflammation. Common factors contributing to BBB dysfunction and inflammatory activation, as discussed earlier, present potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Two noteworthy players in this arena are NF-κB and Nrf2, which mediate diverse effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathologies. Modulating the expression and/or activation of these molecules holds promise as viable strategies for dampening inflammation and subsequent free radical production seen in stroke, diabetes, and other inflammatory conditions.
NF-κB is a major driver of inflammation by promoting transcription of cytokines and chemokines. In stroke and chronic inflammation, HIF-1α is stabilized downstream of NF-κB activation. Recently propofol, an intravenous anesthetic with anti-neuroinflammatory properties, was shown to mitigate induced oxidative damage in BV-2 cells. This effect was accompanied by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, silencing of NF-κB in stressed cells yielded downregulation of HIF-1α and IL-1β. In the realm of herbal medicine, panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) was explored for its anti-inflammatory effects after acute ischemic stroke. PNS was found to downregulate HIF-1α/pyruvate kinase isoform PKM2/STAT3 signaling in microglia. This intervention resulted in reduced microglia activation and lowered expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in the peri-infarction regions. Melatonin, a serotonin derivative known to scavenge free radicals and induce Nrf2-mediated antioxidant enzymes, also exhibits an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the NF-κB activating cascade.
Similarly, two root-derived herbal compounds, baicalin and glycyrrhizin, exert anti-inflammatory effects through different pathways, merging on NF-κB activation. Upon baicalin pre-treatment, LPS induced BV-2 microglia expression of NO, iNOS, IL-1β, PGE2, ROS, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2 decreased and TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation was reduced. Baicalin treated adult mice injected with LPS displayed decreased expression of neuroinflammatory markers, Iba1 and GFAP, NF-κB transcription factor, and pro-inflammatory factors. Glycyrrhizin, however, blocks phosphorylation of the pro-inflammatory mediator, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), inhibiting its function. Evidence from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse and status epilepticus rat models demonstrate glycyrrhizin reduces pro-inflammatory activation of microglia and HMGB1 expression in microglia. In other rodent models, neuroinflammation caused by LPS and stroke was lowered with glycyrrhizin treatment by reducing HMGB1-mediated TLR4-NF-κB activation. The effect of glycyrrhizin is similar to that observed with the angiotensin receptor inhibitior, candesartan, which has been shown to ameliorate ischemia-associated neuroinflammation through inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 signaling cascades in mice. Compounds from the resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis and the flavonoid, tectorigenin, may also effectively reduce neuroinflammation through reduced NF-κB activation.
Although there is strong evidence for herbal medicine reducing neuroinflammation, there are limitations to their therapeutic potential. Passage across the BBB, dosage, and metabolism must be considered when evaluating the biological relevance of in vitro findings. Additionally, mouse experiments utilize high concentrations of herbal compounds that may not be viably translated to humans. Nonetheless, these natural compounds may have valuable therapeutic potential that should be explored further in relevant pre-clinical models.
Inflammation triggers free radical formation and oxidative stress, with increased ROS and decreased antioxidant molecules, including glutathione and/or SOD. As discussed above, STZ-induced diabetes results in lower Nrf2 levels, with increased ROS and subsequent oxidative stress. Activating Nrf2 holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for reducing oxidative stress by promoting expression of enzymes responsible for neutralizing ROS. By targeting the Nrf2 signaling pathway with compounds, such as osthole, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF), and paeonol, researchers have effectively reduced oxidative damage and BBB permeability in mouse models of ischemia. In the context of diabetes treatment, insulin is known to possess additional anti-inflammatory effects, including the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes like total SOD, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, much like endogenous antioxidant mechanisms, exogenous antioxidants function as free radical scavengers, neutralizing ROS. Numerous studies have explored the ability of antioxidants to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage by down-regulating NF-κB and elevating Nrf2. Nrf2 also induces expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. Regulation of Nrf2-BDNF activation and expression is demonstrated by in vitro treatment of BV-2 cells with emodin and omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid, which promote BDNF expression, potentially through elevation of Nrf2 transcription. Interestingly, BDNF levels in vasculature enriched brain lysates from STZ-induced diabetic mice was reduced, mimicking decreased levels of BDNF in hypoxia and inflammation. This suggests that Nrf2 may mediate expression of BDNF in cells comprising the vasculature and microglia to elevate the expression of antioxidant enzymes.
Conclusion
Maintaining the integrity and functionality of the BBB is essential for preserving CNS homeostasis. In this critical dynamic, microglia play a pivotal role by interacting with and communicating with the BBB. One significant aspect of this interaction is the microglial response to endothelial dysfunction within the BBB, which acts as a major contributor to inflammation and oxidative stress in the CNS. This review delves into the intricacies of these interactions, particularly in the context of stroke, diabetes, and systemic inflammation. It highlights a notable gap in current research: the understudied nature of microglia communication with the BBB, especially in the context of disease and/or BBB injury. Importantly, there is potential for addressing these conditions through a unified therapeutic approach, targeting the Nrf2 or NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Such interventions could be instrumental in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, common denominators in these conditions, despite their varied etiologies and manifestations. This approach underscores the importance of considering the subtle differences in inflammation development across different diseases, while also acknowledging their consistent role in driving neuroinflammation.
Figure 2. Microglia and endothelial cell BBB systemic injury. (A) The model displays the normal resting BBB and microglia by the vasculature. Of note, specific expression profiles of juxtavascular microglia have not been differentiated from parenchymal microglia in resting conditions. (B) Ischemic stroke BBB and microglia activation is shown delineating early and late expression profiles in the endothelial cells and microglia. Ischemic signals refer to the molecular signals that promote the migration of microglia to the ischemic event. (C) BBB and microglia inflammation and oxidative stress pathologies are demonstrated in a diabetic hyperglycemic condition. (D) Non-neuroinvasive systemic infection is modeled showing minimal BBB disruption with corresponding endothelial cell and microglia inflammation. Brain parenchyma refers to the information gathered from brain lysates that were not specific to one cell type. The legend displays: microglia resting and activated, light blue; astrocyte end-feet, lilac; endothelial cell, pink; pericytes, green; red blood cell, red; leukocyte, purple; pro-inflammatory cytokines, blue spheres; blood clot, black. CX3CR1, C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1; P2RY12, purinergic receptor P2Y12; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor beta-1; PANX1, pannexin-1; ZO-1, zonula occludens 1; SIRT3, sirtuin 3; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; prx6, peroxiredoxin 6; Cxcl12, C-X-C motif chemokine 12; ASK1, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1; ROS, reactive oxygen species; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-1β, interleukin-1 beta; TLR4, toll-like receptor-4; HIF-1α, hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha; NLRP3, “NOD-like” receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1; VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion protein 1; Ccr2, C-C motif chemokine receptor 2; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; GLUT1, glucose transporter 1; BDNF, brain derived neurotrophic factor; TREM2, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; MPK, mitogen activated protein kinase; PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase; Nrf-2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor; NF-κB, Nuclear factor kappa B; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; MMP2, matrix metalloproteinase 2; INF-γ, interferon-gamma; NGF, nerve-growth factor; CD68, cluster of differentiation 68; MHCII, major histocompatibility complex 2. Sources: Resting (Kuchler-Bopp et al., 1999; Salsman et al., 2011; Niiya et al., 2012; Sajja et al., 2014; Szalay et al., 2016; Davis et al., 2018; Xing et al., 2018), Stroke (McGeer et al., 1988; Bandera et al., 2006; Lum et al., 2007; Krady et al., 2008; Guo et al., 2009; Zhong et al., 2010; Masuda et al., 2011; Hu et al., 2012; Liu et al., 2012; Atangana et al., 2017; Cheon et al., 2017; Xing et al., 2018; Cao et al., 2019; Rashid et al., 2019; Zille et al., 2019; Hong et al., 2020; Jiang et al., 2020; Peng et al., 2020; Lubart et al., 2021; Abdi Sarabi et al., 2022; Gao et al., 2022; Pan et al., 2023; Peerlings et al., 2023; Schwabenland et al., 2023; Xu et al., 2023), Diabetes (Itoh et al., 1997; Jung et al., 2010; Secrest et al., 2013; Zhao et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2014; Abner et al., 2016; Lively and Schlichter, 2018; Bahader et al., 2021; Misilimu et al., 2022; Liao et al., 2023), Systemic inflammation (Banks et al., 1994b; Stentz et al., 2004; Cunningham et al., 2005; Threlkeld et al., 2010; Rigato et al., 2011; McManus et al., 2014; Sajja et al., 2014; Wanrooy et al., 2018; Chouhan et al., 2021; Yang et al., 2022; Yao et al., 2023). Created with BioRender.com.
Crucially, chronic neuroinflammation is a factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and subsequent neuronal damage. Therefore, this review stresses the importance of evaluating microglia activation in scenarios of altered vascular health, elevated blood glucose levels, and indirect systemic inflammation due to pathogens. Ultimately, uncovering the mechanisms of inflammation around the BBB is key to mitigating its adverse effects. This understanding could pave the way for innovative strategies to counteract the detrimental impacts of inflammation in various neurodegenerative conditions.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.