FIGURE 10.

Schematic illustration of microglial and neuronal NHE1 activation in ischemic brain damage and tissue repair. Ischemic stroke triggers NHE1 activation in both microglia and neurons. Specific deletion of Nhe1 in microglia has no effects on acute infarct formation but significantly ameliorates inflammatory microenvironment, promotes restorative microglial function, and enhances myelination. In contrast, specific deletion of neuronal Nhe1 shows no involvement in inflammatory responses, but reduces acute infarction, neuronal damage, and brain atrophy. Therefore, microglial and neuronal Nhe1 deletion contribute differentially to post-ischemic recovery, but both lead to improved infarct resolving, promoted sensorimotor functions, and increased survival rate after ischemic stroke [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]