Age-induced alterations of granulopoiesis generate atypical neutrophils that aggravate stroke pathology

Abstract

Aging accounts for increased risk and dismal outcome of ischemic stroke. Here, we investigated the impact of age-related changes in the immune system on stroke. Upon experimental stroke, compared with young mice, aged mice had increased neutrophil clogging of the ischemic brain microcirculation, leading to worse no-reflow and outcomes. Aged mice showed an enhanced granulopoietic response to stroke that led to the accumulation of CD101⁺CD62L^lo mature and CD177^hiCD101^loCD62L^lo and CD177^loCD101^loCD62L^hi immature atypical neutrophils in the blood, endowed with increased oxidative stress, phagocytosis and procoagulant features. Production of CXCL3 by CD62L^lo neutrophils of the aged had a key role in the development and pathogenicity of aging-associated neutrophils. Hematopoietic stem cell rejuvenation reverted aging-associated neutropoiesis and improved stroke outcome. In elderly patients with ischemic stroke, single-cell proteome profile of blood leukocytes identified CD62L^lo neutrophil subsets associated with worse reperfusion and outcome. Our results unveil how stroke in aging leads to a dysregulated emergency granulopoiesis impacting neurological outcome.