Tet2-mediated clonal hematopoiesis improves neurological deficits and is associated with inflammation resolution in the subacute phase of stroke

Recent work has revealed that clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is associated with a higher risk of numerous age-related diseases, including ischemic stroke, however little is known about whether it influences stroke outcome. Studies suggest that leukocytes carrying CH driver mutations have an enhanced inflammatory profile, which could conceivably exacerbate brain injury after a stroke. Using a mouse model of Tet2-mediated CH, we tested the hypothesis that CH would lead to a poorer outcome after ischemic stroke by augmenting brain inflammation. In contrast to our hypothesis, Tet2-mediated CH had no effect on acute stroke outcome but led to reduced neurological deficits during the subacute phase. This improved neurological outcome was associated with lower levels of brain inflammation during this time, suggesting that Tet2-mediated CH may promote inflammation resolution in the brain post-stroke. While additional mechanistic studies are required, these findings may suggest that Tet2-mediated CH has beneficial actions on the post-stroke brain.