White matter lesions (WMLs), often due to cerebral small vessel ischemia and several inflammatory demyelinated diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), are characterized as focal demyelination with a certain degree of inflammation. Brain-resident microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages are highly dynamic cells that rapidly respond to cues in the injury sites and provide a neuroprotective or detrimental microenvironment for myelin maintenance by changing their activation state. Usually, those demyelinated sites in WMLs are enriched with activated microglia and immersed macrophages that, together, are likely responsible for much of the immune-mediated neurotoxicity. However, they also play neuroprotective roles by removing myelin debris, reducing inflammation, and secreting regenerative factors, suggesting a potential diversity in their functions. Microglia/Macrophage phenotypic heterogeneity and their diverse responses are likely related to the differences in demyelinated pathology in WMLs coupled with potential ongoing remyelination. The peripheral immune cells, including attracted monocytes and T lymphocytes to the CNS, can also aid in myelin debris clearance or modulate microglia responses, depending on the cell type.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to advance research on immune mechanism in white matter lesions as well as to explore potential interventions in the attempt to achieve a beneficial impact on ischemic white matter lesions or inflammatory demyelinated diseases. We welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Opinions in the following areas:
- Molecular mechanism(s) and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways involved in the pathology of demyelination/remyelination.
- Microglia and macrophage as well as their interaction with adaptive lymphocytes in CNS inflammatory demyelinated disease including MS and NMOSD.
- The role of microglia/macrophage in ischemic white matter lesion mediated by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
- Innovative and Translational therapeutic approaches for white matter lesions
White matter lesions (WMLs), often due to cerebral small vessel ischemia and several inflammatory demyelinated diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), are characterized as focal demyelination with a certain degree of inflammation. Brain-resident microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages are highly dynamic cells that rapidly respond to cues in the injury sites and provide a neuroprotective or detrimental microenvironment for myelin maintenance by changing their activation state. Usually, those demyelinated sites in WMLs are enriched with activated microglia and immersed macrophages that, together, are likely responsible for much of the immune-mediated neurotoxicity. However, they also play neuroprotective roles by removing myelin debris, reducing inflammation, and secreting regenerative factors, suggesting a potential diversity in their functions. Microglia/Macrophage phenotypic heterogeneity and their diverse responses are likely related to the differences in demyelinated pathology in WMLs coupled with potential ongoing remyelination. The peripheral immune cells, including attracted monocytes and T lymphocytes to the CNS, can also aid in myelin debris clearance or modulate microglia responses, depending on the cell type.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to advance research on immune mechanism in white matter lesions as well as to explore potential interventions in the attempt to achieve a beneficial impact on ischemic white matter lesions or inflammatory demyelinated diseases. We welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Opinions in the following areas:
- Molecular mechanism(s) and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways involved in the pathology of demyelination/remyelination.
- Microglia and macrophage as well as their interaction with adaptive lymphocytes in CNS inflammatory demyelinated disease including MS and NMOSD.
- The role of microglia/macrophage in ischemic white matter lesion mediated by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
- Innovative and Translational therapeutic approaches for white matter lesions