Thus, we applied MT-II in an in vitro stroke model and intraperitoneally (i. p.)in two in vivo standard models of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) (a ‘stringent’ one [60min MCAO/48h reperfusion] and a ‘mild’ one [30min MCAO/72h reperfusion]), as well as i. v. together with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) to evaluate if exogenous MT-II-application protects against ischemic stroke. The gene discussed is MT2A; the disease is Stroke.