Contribution of the immune response to stroke provides promising directions for future stroke immunotherapies

Abstract

In the entire world, stroke is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Tissue plasminogen activator is the sole FDA-approved drug for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke at the moment. Despite the intensive search for new treatments, hundreds of drugs targeting various pathophysiological processes have failed clinical trials. The pathogenesis of risk factors, neurotoxicity, tissue remodelling, and healing are all stages of stroke that are impacted by the immune system. The brain and immune system communicate in both directions, and infection following a stroke is the main cause of patient mortality due to the immunosuppression it causes. While clinical sequelae like dementia may now potentially be described in terms of immunity, more recent research also suggests that the gut microbiota plays a role in the immunological response to stroke. Despite research indicating both harmful and positive actions, the precise roles of innate and adaptive components are still not well understood. If immunity and inflammation are neuroprotective or neurotoxic, time is a critical factor in determining this. In addition, it is evident that many suggested treatments are influenced by the local inflammatory environment. The most promising potential stroke immunotherapies are highlighted here as this review dissects the various elements of the immune response to stroke.