Retinoid-X-Receptor as a Mediator of Post-Stroke Recovery by Reversing Age-Associated Phenotypes of Microglia/Hematogenous Macrophages.
Abstract
After stroke, microglia and hematogenous macrophages, together referred to as MΦ, clear dead cells and cellular debris in the infarcted brain through phagocytosis as an essential part of the recovery process. However, the phagocytic capability of MΦ declines with age. Furthermore, aged MΦ become overactivated in response to stroke, enhancing secondary brain injury. In this study, we demonstrated that by reversing the age-related dysfunctions in MΦ through activating the retinoid x receptor (RXR), the recovery after stroke in the aged brain could be improved. Using RNA sequencing, we compared the transcriptomes between MΦ isolated from the brains of young and aged male mice. We observed higher levels of pro-inflammatory genes and lower levels of phagocytosis-facilitating genes (
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Research summary
The paper claims that activating the retinoid x receptor (RXR) can reverse age-related dysfunctions in microglia and improve post-stroke recovery in aged brains. This research is relevant as it addresses the underlying mechanisms of aging-related decline in immune function, specifically in the context of stroke recovery, which aligns with the goal of understanding and potentially mitigating age-associated diseases.
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