Microglia play an essential role during cerebral an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-related inflammatory process. Because the M2 phenotype of microglia exhibits anti-inflammation activity, it has become a promising target for anti-inflammatory therapy. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reportedly has neuroprotective effects against cerebral I/R injuries via its anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of non-invasive VNS (nVNS) to alleviate cerebral I/R in mice by promoting microglial M2 polarization. Neurological scoring and cerebral infarct volume assessments were performed 72 h after a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced stroke. M2 phenotype microglia were identified by immunohistochemistry staining using Arg-1 and Iba-1 antibodies. The protein expressions of Arg-1, IL-17A, IL-10, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot. Apoptotic cells were detected using TUNEL staining. According to our results, nVNS decreased infarct volume, improved neurological outcomes, reduced apoptotic neurons (TUNEL+NeuN+ cells), and promoted microglial M2 polarization as indicated by elevated Arg-1 protein expression and increased Arg-1+ cells after MCAO. Moreover, nVNS attenuated the increased levels of IL-17A protein expression after MCAO. To test the possible involvement of IL-17A in nVNS-induced neuroprotection and microglial M2 polarization, 1-μg recombinant IL-17A (rIL-17A) was intranasally administered once daily for three consecutive days after reperfusion. We found that the intranasal administration of rIL-17A nullified the nVNS-induced promotion of microglial M2 polarization. Furthermore, rIL-17A administration abolished the neuroprotective effect of nVNS. In conclusion, our study identifies microglial M2 polarization as an important mechanism underlying the nVNS-mediated neuroprotection against cerebral I/R. This effect of nVNS could be attributed to the inhibition of IL-17A expression.
Keywords: Cerebral ischemia; IL-17A; MCAO; Microglia; Vagus nerve stimulation.