Targeting Neuroinflammation in Spinal Cord Injury: From Inflammatory Mechanisms to Pharmacological Interventions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a devastating secondary neuroinflammatory cascade—driven by microglial activation, immune infiltration, and sustained pro-inflammatory mediator release—that exacerbates tissue damage and impedes neurological recovery. The dynamic balance between pro-inflammatory (M1) and reparative (M2) phenotypes of microglia/macrophages has emerged as a critical determinant of injury outcome. Key signaling pathways, including NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, TLR4, and the CCL2/CCR2 axis, represent promising pharmacological targets. Despite encouraging preclinical advances, effective clinical translation remains limited. This Research Topic aims to bridge mechanistic insights into SCI neuroinflammation with innovative pharmacological interventions, fostering the development of targeted therapies that can ultimately improve functional recovery after SCI.This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of neuroinflammatory mechanisms following spinal cord injury (SCI) and to accelerate the development of targeted pharmacological interventions that promote neurological recovery. We invite original research, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that explore—from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic translation—the pharmacological regulation of SCI-induced neuroinflammation. Areas of particular interest include: the signaling pathways governing microglial and macrophage polarization (e.g., NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, TLR4, JAK/STAT); the roles of chemokine and cytokine networks (particularly the CCL2/CCR2 axis) in shaping the inflammatory microenvironment; novel drug delivery systems designed to cross the blood-spinal cord barrier and achieve cell-type-selective targeting; drug repositioning strategies; and the integration of multi-omics approaches and bioinformatics to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. By bringing together multidisciplinary contributions—from molecular pharmacology and neurobiology to drug delivery and translational medicine—this Research Topic seeks to bridge the gap between mechanistic discovery and clinical application, ultimately fostering the development of effective anti-neuroinflammatory therapies that improve outcomes for SCI patients.• Inflammatory signaling pathways as drug targets: Pharmacological modulation of NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, TLR4, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways in SCI.• Microglia/macrophage polarization: Mechanisms and pharmacological strategies regulating M1/M2 phenotype balance to promote neuroprotection and repair.• Chemokine and cytokine networks: Targeting the CCL2/CCR2 axis and other inflammatory mediators in the SCI microenvironment.• Drug delivery and targeting strategies: Novel delivery systems crossing the blood-spinal cord barrier, cell-type-selective targeting, and biomaterial-based approaches.• Multi-omics and bioinformatics in drug discovery: Integration of transcriptomics, proteomics, and network pharmacology to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for SCI. Topic editors: Jinwen Luo, Heng Li, Muhammad Tahir Ul Qamar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85093/targeting-neuroinflammation-in-spinal-cord-injury-from-inflammatory-mechanisms-to-pharmacological-interventions