Elucidating the contribution of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) on microglia in neuroinflammation associated with stroke and ageing – tPAMicroglia

Microglia are tissue-resident macrophages in the central nervous system where their role is to sense changes in the environment. Microglia are multifunctional cells that can interact with other cells in the CNS. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a zymogen expressed in the endothelial cells but also by neurons and glial cells in the CNS where it can have various functions. tPA is involved in brain physiology and diseases, however, its exact roles remain to understand, especially on microglia. The aim of this proposal is to determine the mechanism(s) of tPA actions on microglia during neuroinflammation associated with stroke and ageing, a co-morbidity factor for stroke that influence microglia responses. A better understanding of microglia functions and the roles of tPA on microglia will bring new understandings of stroke and ageing processes and therefore potential new therapeutic opportunities.