Organized immunity in the CNS: what stroke reveals about neuroinflammation and lymphoid niches
Abstract
Organized adaptive immunity can emerge in the CNS under specific inflammatory and stromal conditions. The study by Yang et al. in this issue of the JCI reports that experimental ischemic stroke induced germinal center-like B cell follicles through microglial MIF-CD74/CXCR4 signaling and in situ B cell proliferation, promoting chronic neuroinflammation. These findings align with a growing body of evidence that the brain and meninges can support ectopic lymphoid structures in multiple sclerosis, during aging, and in certain gliomas. This Commentary integrates these observations to highlight shared principles, disease-specific outcomes, and unresolved questions regarding the identity and function of lymphoid aggregates in the CNS.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
Tryptophan and brain disorders
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Clinical Investigation
- Publisher
- American Society for Clinical Investigation
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 5
- Publication date
- 1 March 2026
- Language
- EN