Splenectomy reduces infarct volume and neuroinflammation in male but not female mice in experimental stroke

Abstract

The peripheral immune response contributes to neurodegeneration after stroke yet little is known about how this process differs between males and females. The current study demonstrates that splenectomy prior to experimental stroke eliminates sex differences in infarct volume and activated brain monocytes/microglia. In the periphery of both sexes, activated T cells correlate directly with stroke outcome while monocytes are reduced by splenectomy only in males. This study provides new information about the sex specific mechanisms of the peripheral immune response in neurodegeneration after stroke and demonstrates the need for representation of both sexes in basic and clinical stroke research.

Keywords: Experimental stroke; Immune response; Infarct volume; Neuroinflammation; Sex difference; Splenectomy.