Spatially resolved single-cell atlas reveals cortical glial reactivity associated with regions of neuronal growth programs in both hemispheres after stroke

Imaging-based subcellular spatial transcriptomics of ~650,000 cells in male and female mice 7 days after cortical ischemic stroke shows reactive microglia and astrocytes extend into contralesional gray and white matter.

• Why it matters: Post-stroke circuit repair depends on remodeling in both hemispheres, yet it is unclear how glial reactivity is spatially organized relative to neuronal growth programs and whether remote responses are lesion-restricted.
• What they did: The study profiled ~650,000 cells across both hemispheres using imaging-based subcellular spatial transcriptomics at 7 days after cortical ischemic stroke, then mapped neuronal growth-associated gene expression and glial reactive states.
• The result: Neuronal growth-associated gene expression was substantially activated in both perilesional and homotopic contralesional cortex, where reactive microglia and astrocytes proportions were significantly increased, nominating spatial links for recovery research.

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