Exercise facilitates post-stroke recovery through mitigation of neuronal hyperexcitability via interleukin-10 signaling

Schmidt-Pogoda, A; Ruck, T; Strecker, JK; Hoppen, M; Fazio, L; Vinnenberg, L; Maus, B; Wachsmuth, L; Cerina, M; Diederich, K; Lichtenberg, S; Abberger, H; Haertel, L; Schafflick, D; Meyer Zu H&#246;rste, G; Herrmann, AM; Hundehege, P; Narayanan, V; Nelke, C; Kruithoff, K; Bosbach, J; Vicari, E; Ramcke, T; Beuker, C; Hadaschik, E; Budde, T; Faber, C; Wiendl, H; Hansen, W; Meuth, SG; Minnerup, J

Author(s): Schmidt-Pogoda, A; Ruck, T; Strecker, JK; Hoppen, M; Fazio, L; Vinnenberg, L; Maus, B; Wachsmuth, L; Cerina, M; Diederich, K; Lichtenberg, S; Abberger, H; Haertel, L; Schafflick, D; Meyer Zu Hörste, G; Herrmann, AM; Hundehege, P; Narayanan, V; Nelke, C; Kruithoff, K; Bosbach, J; Vicari, E; Ramcke, T; Beuker, C; Hadaschik, E; Budde, T; Faber, C; Wiendl, H; Hansen, W; Meuth, SG; Minnerup, J;
Details: Publication Year 2025-10-08,Volume 16,Issue #1,Page 8928
Journal Title: Nature Communications
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.
Publisher: Springer Nature
Keywords: Animals; *Interleukin-10/metabolism/genetics; Male; *Neurons/physiology/metabolism; Mice; Signal Transduction; *Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology/metabolism; Recovery of Function; Mice, Inbred C57BL; *Stroke/physiopathology/immunology; Disease Models, Animal; *Stroke Rehabilitation/methods; Brain/physiopathology/pathology; *Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology/immunology; Brain Ischemia/immunology/physiopathology
Research Division(s): Immunology
PubMed ID: 41062473/
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62631-y
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62631-y
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

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