Advances in the research of the role of macrophage/microglia polarization-mediated inflammatory response in spinal cord injury

Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), the body's inflammatory response plays a significant role in determining the extent of damage and potential for recovery. Macrophages and microglia, types of immune cells, are key players in this response. These cells can adopt different states, known as M1 and M2, each with distinct effects. M1 macrophages/microglia promote inflammation and tissue damage, while M2 macrophages/microglia reduce inflammation and support tissue repair. The shift from M1 to M2 is believed to be beneficial for recovery after SCI. Understanding how to influence this shift could lead to new treatments. This review discusses the roles of macrophages/microglia in SCI and explores potential molecular mechanisms that control their polarization. It also highlights neuroprotective therapies that modulate macrophage/microglia polarization, aiming to provide insights for developing new SCI treatments.

• 1
  M1 macrophages/microglia exacerbate inflammation and tissue damage after SCI by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, while M2 macrophages/microglia promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines.
• 2
  The transition from M1 to M2 macrophages/microglia is associated with reduced secondary damage and improved locomotor recovery after SCI.
• 3
  Several neuroprotective therapies, including delivery of molecules to alter macrophage/microglia phenotype, mesenchymal stem cell and exosome therapy, and microRNA modulation, can influence macrophage/microglia polarization and promote SCI repair.