Figure 1.
Neutrophil recruitment during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury leads to reduced blood flow in the microcirculation and increased lesion progression. Before an ischemic stroke, the brain has healthy blood flow with few neutrophils in the tissue. Upon ischemic stroke brain injury, blood flow ceases to the infarct area, leaving a region of the brain at risk for tissue death. Upon reperfusion, blood flow is restored to the area, but neutrophils begin to infiltrate immediately. Over time, neutrophil recruitment results in decreased blood flow in the microcirculation and increased tissue damage.