Repeated Head Impacts Establish a Senescent Cranial Bone Marrow Niche That Impairs Brain Metabolism

Authors

• Patrick J Devlin
• Romeesa Khan
• Trang H Do
• Bryce E West
• Janelle M Korf
• Gary U Guzman
• John Ahn
• Alexander Saltzman
• Antrix Jain
• Chunfeng Tan
• Rene Flores
• Micheal E Maniskas
• Sean P Marrelli
• Anna Malovannaya
• Erica Underwood
• Rodney M Ritzel

Language

English

Publication Date

5-27-2026

Journal

Journal of Neuroinflammation

DOI

10.1186/s12974-026-03846-8

PMID

42204700

PMCID

PMC13430884

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

5-27-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) of any severity is associated with long-term systemic inflammation and increased risk of peripheral comorbidities, yet the mechanisms driving immune dysregulation and accelerated aging after repeated sub-concussive head impacts remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of repetitive head impacts (RHI) on distal and proximal bone marrow compartments in the femur and calvaria, respectively.

Methods: Using a modified weight-drop mouse model delivering rotational and acceleration-deceleration forces (3 hits/week for up to 16 weeks), RHI produced no mortality, skull fracture, hemorrhage, or brain leukocyte infiltration. Bone marrow stem and progenitor cell proliferation, senescence, and output were assessed using flow cytometry, senescence-associated assays, telomere analysis, and secretome profiling.

Results: One day after three consecutive impacts, RHI induced robust proliferation of LSK stem/progenitor cells in both femoral and calvarial marrow, evidenced by Ki67 expression, BrdU incorporation, and increased monocyte output. By 8 weeks (24 impacts), injury-induced proliferation subsided and LSK cells exhibited increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and upregulation of tumor suppressor genes. At 16 weeks (48 impacts), LSK populations were depleted at both sites, displaying reduced proliferative capacity, telomere shortening, and pancytopenia in otherwise young adult mice. Calvarial bone marrow cells exposed to RHI released a distinct cytokine and proteomic secretome marked by elevated IL-6, suppressed mitochondrial and metabolic signaling, and enhanced DNA repair pathways. Notably, skull-derived secretome factors impaired cortical and hippocampal mitochondrial metabolism, and reduced microglial mitochondrial membrane potential.

Conclusions: Together, these findings identify replicative senescence of the brain-adjacent bone marrow niche as an early and progressive consequence of repeated mild head injury, linking RHI to long-lasting metabolic dysfunction, impaired immunity, and accelerated aging.

Keywords

Animals, Mice, Brain, Male, Cellular Senescence, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Skull, Aging, Bone Marrow, Cell Proliferation, Traumatic brain injury, Repetitive head impacts, Skull bone marrow, Replicative senescence, Metabolism, Microglia

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Devlin, Patrick J; Khan, Romeesa; Do, Trang H; et al., "Repeated Head Impacts Establish a Senescent Cranial Bone Marrow Niche That Impairs Brain Metabolism" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 8143.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/8143