Pharmacological depletion of microglia and perivascular macrophages prevents vascular Cognitive Impairment in Ang II-induced Hypertension
Daniëlle Kerkhofs, Britt T. van Hagen, Irina V. Milanova, Kimberly J Schell, Helma van Essen, Erwin Wijnands, Pieter Goossens, W. Matthijs Blankesteijn, Thomas Unger, Jos Prickaerts, Erik A.L. Biessen, Robert J. van Oostenbrugge, Sébastien Foulquier
Abstract
Our results show that depletion of microglia and PVMs, by CSF1R inhibition prevents short-term memory impairment in Ang II induced hypertensive mice. We suggest this beneficial effect is mediated by the major decrease of pro-inflammatory microglia within BBB leakages. This novel finding supports the critical role of brain immune cells in the pathogenesis of hypertension-related cognitive impairment. An adequate modulation of microglia /PVM density and phenotype may constitute a relevant approach to prevent and/or limit the progression of vascular cognitive impairment.