title: Splenic responses in ischemic stroke: new insights into stroke pathology.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Luhe Teaching Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zong-Jian
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Feng-Wu
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jia-Mei
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Rehana K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Leak
authors.forename: Xun-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Hui-Shan
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Immune response; Spleen; Stroke; Therapeutic strategies