Microglia play important roles in the process of neuronal injury and recovery. Numeous surface receptors have been described to regulate microglial activation. These receptors tightly mediate normal microglial functions including cell mobility, phagocytosis, and production of inflammatory mediators or trophic factors. In recent years, significant progresses have been achieved for understanding the signaling mechanisms underlying these receptors. Their specific roles in neurological diseases have been documented. This review will focus on the signal regulatory protein (SIRP) and its ligand CD47, two surface receptors expressed on microglia and other cells in the central nervous system (CNS) such as neurons. We will discuss the involvement of SIRP/CD47 signaling in microglial activation and in the interplay between microglia and other CNS cells. Current studies reveal the importance of CD47 and SIRPα in the process of neuroinflammation in the CNS disorders. The dual and contradictory role of CD47 suggests that targeting the SIRPα/CD47 signaling may achieve different effects depending on disease stage. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Cell Interactions In Stroke.
Keywords: CD47; Microglia; Neuroinflammation; Signal regulatory protein (SIRP).
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