Neutrophils-astrocyte interactions in central nervous system inflammation

Abstract The concept of central nervous system (CNS) “immune privilege” has undergone substantial revision. We now understand that the CNS exhibits sophisticated inflammatory responses that serve dual functions: potentially detrimental in acute phases while facilitating repair and recovery during chronic stages of various neurological conditions. Recent advances in genomic technologies, particularly high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics, have revolutionized our understanding of cellular dynamics and interactions within the CNS inflammatory microenvironment. Here, we examine the intricate interplay between neutrophils and astrocytes during CNS inflammation. We synthesize emerging evidence of their reciprocal regulation, analyze their roles in neurological diseases, and delineate the molecular pathways mediating their communication. Understanding these cellular interactions could reveal promising therapeutic targets for modulating secondary CNS inflammation, potentially leading to more effective treatment strategies for neurological disorders.