Overall our gene lists are in line with previous microarray studies monitoring cerebral ischemic insult [28-34] including proteins such as ICAM-1, a main actor for the regulation of ischemia-induced injury since its inhibition induces neuroprotection after I/R injury [35,36]; VEGFA as a main indicator for brain ischemia [37]; IFRD1, an early gene stimulating p53 and up-regulating iNOS after oxidative stress [38]; inducible HMOX1 and constitutive HMOX2, two rate-limiting enzymes for the catabolism of the prooxidant heme [39,40] and CHOP. Here, DDIT3 is linked to brain ischemia.