In the past decade, the significant contribution of the spleen to ischemic brain damage has gained considerable attention in stroke research. As the largest natural reservoir of immune cells, the spleen establishes critical connections with the ischemic brain during the progression of stroke and mobilizes its cells to the site of injury. Multiple alarm signals released from the injured brain are essential for the initiation of brain-spleen communication. Spleen-derived cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes/macrophages, are known to contribute significantly to ischemic brain damage. Understanding the dynamic splenic responses to stroke will not only provide insights into the evolvement of ischemic brain injury but will also identify potential targets for stroke treatment. Here, we review recent studies on the functions of the spleen in ischemic stroke. We have included a discussion of several therapeutic strategies that target splenic responses and reduce acute ischemic brain damage in preclinical studies. Future investigations on the effects of the spleen on long-term stroke recovery are highly warranted.
[1]Capital Med Univ, Luhe Teaching Hosp, China Amer Inst Neurosci, Beijing 101100, Peoples R China.
[2]Cent S Univ, Xiangya Hosp 3, Changsha, Hunan, Peoples R China.
[3]Duquesne Univ, Div Pharmaceut Sci, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 USA.
[4]Capital Med Univ, Xuanwu Hosp, Dept Neurol, Beijing 101100, Peoples R China.
[5]Fudan Univ, State Key Lab Med Neurobiol, Shanghai 200433, Peoples R China.
[6]Fudan Univ, Inst Brain Sci, Shanghai 200433, Peoples R China.
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