Exercise facilitates post-stroke recovery through mitigation of neuronal hyperexcitability via interleukin-10 signaling
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Physical exercise is an effective therapy for improving stroke recovery. However, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms of exercise-enhanced neuronal repair remain unclear. As exercise affects the immune system in healthy individuals, and the immune system in turn influences recovery after stroke, we hypothesized that immune mechanisms play a role in exercise-induced neurological recovery. Using a model of ischemic stroke in adult male mice, we here show that the presence of regulatory T cells (Treg) within the ischemic brain is a prerequisite for exercise-enhanced functional and structural recovery. Treg prevent excessive and sustained hyperexcitability of periinfarct neurons via IL-10 signaling. This reduced hyperexcitability precedes alterations in neuronal connectivity, which underlie functional improvement. Together, we delineate the interaction of exercise-therapy, the immune system and functional recovery after ischemic stroke. Our findings can have translational relevance for further development of immune-targeted therapies.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: A. Schmidt-Pogoda, T. Ruck, JK Strecker, M. Hoppen, L. Fazio, L. Vinnenberg, B. Maus, L. Wachsmuth, M. Cerina, K. Diederich, S. Lichtenberg, H. Abberger, LAL Haertel, D. Schafflick, G. Meyer zu Hörste, AM Herrmann, P. Hundehege, V. Narayanan, C. Nelke, K. Kruithoff, J. Bosbach, E. Vicari, T. Ramcke, C. Beuker, E. Hadaschik, T. Budde, C. Faber, H. Wiendl, W. Hansen, SG Meuth, J. Minnerup
Institutions: University of Münster, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, The University of Melbourne, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, University of Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W4414933040