Open access
Cholesterol Drives IFITM3 + Microglia Activation and Induces STING Mediated Neuroinflammation After Ischemic Stroke
Yue-lei Cheng
Yuxi Zhou
Yong-Hui Chen
Tian-Ni Shen
Yan Li
Chen Chen
Qi-chao Fan
Jie Qi
Peiying Li
Yue-Man Zhang
Medicine
Abstract
Cerebral ischemic stroke triggers extensive neuronal membrane breakdown, releasing a massive load of cholesterol that overwhelms resident microglia. Dysregulated microglial cholesterol metabolism has been implicated in post‐stroke neuroinflammation, yet the specific pathogenic microglial subpopulations, their molecular signatures, and the downstream inflammatory cascades remain poorly defined.