Blocking postsynaptic density-93 binding to C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 promotes microglial phenotypic transformation during acute ischemic stroke

We previously reported that postsynaptic density-93 mediates neuron-microglia crosstalk by interacting with amino acids 357–395 of C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) to induce microglia polarization. More importantly, the peptide Tat-CX3CL1 (comprising amino acids 357–395 of CX3CL1) disrupts the interaction between postsynaptic density-93 and CX3CL1, reducing neurological impairment and exerting a protective effect in the context of acute ischemic stroke. However, the mechanism underlying these effects remains unclear. In the current study, we found that the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype increased and the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype decreased at different time points. The M1 phenotype increased at 6 hours after stroke and peaked at 24 hours after perfusion, whereas the M2 phenotype decreased at 6 and 24 hours following reperfusion. We found that the peptide Tat-CX3CL1 (357–395aa) facilitates microglial polarization from M1 to M2 by reducing the production of soluble CX3CL1. Furthermore, the a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 17 (ADAM17) inhibitor GW280264x, which inhibits metalloprotease activity and prevents CX3CL1 from being sheared into its soluble form, facilitated microglial polarization from M1 to M2 by inhibiting soluble CX3CL1 formation. Additionally, Tat-CX3CL1 (357–395aa) attenuated long-term cognitive deficits and improved white matter integrity as determined by the Morris water maze test at 31–34 days following surgery and immunofluorescence staining at 35 days after stroke, respectively. In conclusion, Tat-CX3CL1 (357–395aa) facilitates functional recovery after ischemic stroke by promoting microglial polarization from M1 to M2. Therefore, the Tat-CX3CL1 (357–395aa) is a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke.