VEGFA and Cerebral ischemia: Whereas expressions of VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β were undetectable in the brains of sham-operated rats, significant expressions of VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β were observed in the border area within the ischemic core and penumbra at 28 days after cerebral ischemia (21 days after transplantation).