Neovascularization and vascular remodeling are functionally important for brain repair after
stroke. We show that neutrophils accumulate in the peri-infarct cortex during all stages of
ischemic stroke. Neutrophils producing intravascular and intraparenchymal neutrophil
extracellular traps (NETs) peak at 3–5 days. Neutrophil depletion reduces blood-brain
barrier (BBB) breakdown and enhances neovascularization at 14 days. Peptidylarginine
deiminase 4 (PAD4), an enzyme essential for NET formation, is upregulated in peri-ischemic …