Furthermore, specific blockade of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-ERK1/2 pathway by inhibition of the upstream Raf protein prevented the reduction in CBF and abolished the upregulation of cytokines and MMP-9[29], suggesting a crucial role of this pathway in the cerebrovascular inflammatory response, and delayed cerebral ischemia after SAH. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is brain ischemia.