Esketamine Suppresses Astrocyte-Driven Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury via the METTL5/c-Myc/PD-L1
Neurochemical Research March 13, 2026 Lan Luo, Miao Yu, Xiaodong Li et al.
Esketamine given to mice after traumatic brain injury (TBI) improved neurological outcomes, reduced neuronal death, and lessened neuroinflammation. The drug suppressed astrocyte activation, inhibited pro-inflammatory A1 astrocyte differentiation, and promoted protective A2 astrocyte formation. These effects occurred through inhibition of the METTL5/c-Myc/PD-L1 signaling pathway. The findings suggest esketamine has significant anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties that could be relevant for treating TBI.