Crosstalk between microglia and T cells contributes to brain damage and recovery after ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES: To summarize available knowledge regarding the crosstalk, thereby providing a more detailed explanation for the mechanism of brain damage and recovery after ischemic stroke. METHODS: An extensive review of the literature on the crosstalk between microglia and T cells in ischemic stroke was performed. We review the relevant publications in PubMed database. RESULTS: After cerebral ischemia, microglia are activated and peripheral T cells infiltrated into the brain. The crosstalk between microglia and T cells has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects in the inflammation after stroke. The crosstalk between M1 and Th1/Th17 cells promotes immune response after stroke and contributes to brain damage, while the crosstalk between M2 and Th2/Treg cells plays an anti-inflammatory role and contributes to brain recovery. Meanwhile, the crosstalk can be regulated by many factors, in both contact dependent and non-contact dependent way. CONCLUSION: Inflammation mediated by microglia crosstalking to T cells contributes to brain damage and recovery after ischemic stroke. Extensive evidence supports a critical role for the crosstalk of microglia and T cells in the prognosis of brain injury after ischemic stroke. The regulation of the crosstalk may provide a potential therapeutic target for improving the ischemic brain damage.