Background and Purpose- After ischemic injury, microglia and infiltrated macrophages may acquire different polarization phenotypes promoting inflammation and injury (M1) or repair and protection (M2). There is evidence that immunomodulation, via type 2 helper T-cells (Th2) cytokines, exerts neuroprotection after ischemia. We investigated the consequences of simultaneous genetic deletion of Th2 cytokines (IL [interleukin]-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13) on the histopathologic outcome, microglia and infiltrated macrophages markers, and ischemic microenvironment at different time points after ischemic injury in mice subjected to permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective- Circulating complement factors are activated by tissue damage and contribute to acute brain injury. The deposition of MBL (mannose-binding lectin), one of the initiators of the lectin complement pathway, on the cerebral endothelium activated by ischemia is a major pathogenic event leading to brain injury. The molecular mechanisms through which MBL influences outcome after ischemia are not understood yet.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To assess the involvement of ficolin-3, the main initiator of the lectin complement pathway (LCP), in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) pathology and outcome.
Methods: In this preliminary exploratory study, plasma concentration of ficolin-3 and of ficolin-3-mediated functional LCP activity was measured, along with that of other LCP initiators (mannose-binding lectin, ficolin-2, and ficolin-1), C3 activation products, and soluble C5b-9 terminal complex, in a prospective cohort of 39 patients with SAH and 20 healthy controls. The following parameters were recorded: SAH severity, assessed using the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grading scale; vasospasm, defined as neuro-worsening with angiographic confirmation of vessel narrowing; cerebral ischemia, defined as hypodense lesion on CT scan performed before discharge; and 6-month outcome, assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.