NK cells in cerebral ischemia

Abstract As a vital cell type in immune system and infiltrating cells in ischemic brain, NK cells can bridge the crosstalk between immune system and nervous system in stroke setting. The mechanism of action of NK cells is complicated, involving direct and indirect actions. NK cells are closely associated with poststroke inflammation, immunodepression and infections. The excessive inflammatory response in ischemic brain is one of the important causes for aggravating cerebral ischemic injury. Besides the inflammation induced by ischemia itself, thrombolytic drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration could also induce deteriorative inflammation, which is unfavorable for stroke control and recovery. Regulating NK cells may has the potential to modulate the immune response, limiting the development of ischemic damage and getting better outcome. In addition, post-stroke immunosuppression may lead to infections which contribute to higher severity and mortality of ischemic stroke (IS). Targeting NK cells may help to find novel pathways for IS therapy, which can both ameliorate the infarction itself, but also reduce the infectious complications. NK cells may also link IS and related diseases, suggesting NK cells can be used as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for IS prevention and treatment.