We focused on such factors, i.e. IL-6, CD68, CCL3 and CCL5, which have already been described by us and others occurring in the ischemic peri-infarct area and being relevant for tMCAO-induced brain damage and post-stroke therapy (Benakis et al. 2012; Bleilevens et al. 2013; Dang et al. 2011; Ginsberg 1997; Kriz and Lalancette-Hebert 2009). Here, CD68 is linked to stroke disorder.