Mild Hypoxia Accelerates Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Disease Through CX3CR1-CX3CL1 Signaling

Abstract

Our study reveals that interactions between CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 can modify CCM neuropathology when lesions are accelerated by environmental hypoxia. Moreover, a hypoxic environment or hypoxia signaling caused by CCM disease influences the balance between neuroinflammation and neuroprotection mediated by CX3CR1-CX3CL1 signaling. These results establish <i>CX3CR1</i> as a genetic marker for patient stratification and a potential predictor of CCM aggressiveness.