Nociceptive Neurons Promote Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Mobilization to Alleviate Post-Stroke Neuroinflammation
<b>Background:</b> Bone marrow serves as a source and reservoir of immune cells and plays a critical role in central nervous system diseases. Nociceptive neurons are widely distributed in the bone marrow, but their post-infarction changes and immunological functions remain largely unexplored. <b>Methods:</b> A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and human skull bone marrow samples from stroke patients were analyzed. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling was manipulated via receptor knockout and targeted nanoparticle delivery. Immune responses were evaluated primarily through flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and single-cell RNA sequencing. <b>Results:</b> Activation of nociceptive neurons after cerebral infarction promoted myeloid-biased hematopoiesis in the bone marrow and increased infiltration of myeloid cells into brain tissue, resulting in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. This regulatory mechanism was mediated by CGRP, which enhanced the proliferation and mobilization of downstream myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), ultimately improving stroke outcomes. To overcome the hypotensive side effects of CGRP, we employed aged neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles for its targeted delivery to bone marrow, achieving sustained release and enhanced efficacy. <b>Conclusion:</b> Nociceptive neurons critically modulate post-stroke bone marrow immune responses by releasing CGRP and activating MDSC. Targeted CGRP delivery to bone marrow represents a promising strategy to suppress neuroinflammation and improve neurological recovery after cerebral infarction.
Authors
- Lingxin Cai
- Huaping Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1509-4794)
- Gao Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1085-0028)
- Yan Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6890-7053)
- Zhengwei Mao
- Qin Xie
- Haifeng Chu
- Xuewen Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8816-9107)
- Jin Lv (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9968-856X)
- Jiayin Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3269-0723)
Institutions
- Zhejiang Lab (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University (CN)
- Department of Education of Zhejiang Province (CN)
- Zhejiang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Theranostics
- Published
- 2025-08-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.119474
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.84
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Zhejiang University