Sex differences in T cell immune responses, gut permeability and outcome after ischemic stroke in aged mice

Stroke is a disease that presents with well-known sex differences. While women account for more stroke deaths, recent data show that after adjusting for age and pre-stroke functional status, mortality is higher in men. Immune responses are key determinants of stroke outcome and may differ by sex. This study examined sex differences in central and peripheral T cell immune responses, systemic effects on gut permeability and microbiota diversity and behavioral outcomes after stroke in aged mice. We hypothesized that there are sex differences in the immune response to stroke in aged animals. C57BL/6CR mice (20–22 months) were subjected to 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion, or sham surgery. T cells were quantified in brain and blood at 3, 7 and 15 days (d) post-stroke by flow cytometry. Peripheral effects on gut permeability and microbiota diversity, as well as neurological function were assessed up to 14 d, and at 21 d (cognitive function) post-stroke. Brain glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was evaluated at 42 d post-stroke. Mortality (50% vs 14%, p < 0.05) and hemorrhagic transformation (44% vs 0%) were significantly higher in males than in females. No difference in infarct size at 3d were observed. Peripherally, stroke induced greater gut permeability of FITC-dextran in males at d3 (p < 0.05), and non-reversible alterations in microbiota diversity in males. Following the sub-acute phase, both sexes demonstrated a time-dependent increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the brain, with significantly higher levels of CD8+ T cells and Regulatory T cells in males at d15 (p < 0.01). Aged males demonstrated greater neurological deficits up to d5 and impaired sensorimotor function up to d15 when assessed by the corner asymmetry test (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). A trend in greater cognitive decline was observed at d21 in males. Increased GFAP expression in the ischemic hemisphere, indicating astroglial activation and gliosis, was demonstrated in both males and females 42d post-stroke. Our findings indicate that despite a similar initial ischemic brain injury, aged male mice experience greater peripheral effects on the gut and ongoing central neuroinflammation past the sub-acute phase after stroke.