Targeting Glial Mitochondrial Function for Protection from Cerebral Ischemia: Relevance, Mechanisms, and the Role of MicroRNAs

Figure 2

Glia mitochondrial function is essential to neuronal survival following cerebral ischemia. Astrocytes provide protection to neurons by a number of mitochondrial-associated mechanisms, including buffering excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), maintaining Ca²⁺ homeostasis, and providing metabolic substrate and ATP to neurons. Astrocytes may also regulate neuronal homeostasis and the neuronal bioenergetic response to injury by direct transfer of mitochondria from astrocytes to neurons. Microglial activation polarity determines neuronal fate, with M2 activation state associated with anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Microglial activation is coordinated by microglial and astrocyte mitochondrial function. IL-4: interleukin-4; IL-10: interleukin-10; IL-13: interleukin-13.