Abstract
Neuroinflammation has been increasingly considered a key player of neurodegenerative as well as psychiatric disorders. This review integrates existing knowledge on glial-neuroimmune interactions, emphasizing the roles of cytokine signaling, glial activation, and BBB modulation in neuro-pathogenesis. A systematic review was performed studying peer-reviewed literature on molecular pathways of microglia, astrocytes, endothelial cells, and peripheral immune mediators. A possible explanation of this finding could be that the model is based on the underlying pathophysiology, and this is shared across disease contexts, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. Novel in vitro platforms, including the organ-on-a-chip and brain organoids, were also discussed for their translational potential. Microglia M1/M2 polarization and astrocyte reactivity appeared to be a common feature in neurotoxicity as well as excitotoxicity and chronic inflammation. Cytokine cascade of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 led to the disrupted BBB, allowing for peripheral immune cells to infiltrate. Both the NLRP3 inflammasome and mitochondrial dysfunction were identified as enhancers of neuroimmune signaling. Comparing across disease models, shared relationships emerged between glia-cytokines-BBB. Advanced in vitro systems proved to be useful to model these interactions and screen prescription drugs. This review highlights existing insights into glia-neuroimmune cross-reactivity and its critical role in CNS disease. The molecular interactions between these molecules could represent promising targets for novel therapeutic options. We suggests integrative systems platforms and AI-driven strategies to expedite clinical translation in neuroinflammation.