CX3CR1 and ischemia: Although the processes of microglia activation, cytokine production, and phagocytosis have been studied in several animal models of ischemia injury in CX3CR1-deficient (CX3CR1-/-) mice, it remains unclear as to how CX3CR1 deficiency alters the function of these cells, resulting in reduced damage during ischemic injury (highlighted by several controversial findings).