Cross-talk between monocyte invasion and astrocyte proliferation regulates scarring in brain injury.

ABSTRACT: Scar formation after brain injury is still poorly understood. To further elucidate such processes, here, we examine the interplay between astrocyte proliferation taking place predominantly at the vascular interface and monocyte invasion. Using genetic mouse models that decrease or increase reactive astrocyte proliferation, we demonstrate inverse effects on monocyte numbers in the injury site. Conversely, reducing monocyte invasion using CCR2^-/- mice causes a strong increase in astrocyte proliferation, demonstrating an intriguing negative cross-regulation between these cell types at the vascular interface. CCR2^-/- mice show reduced scar formation with less extracellular matrix deposition, smaller lesion site and increased neuronal coverage. Surprisingly, the GFAP⁺

SUBMITTER: Frik J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5934774 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature