Next, we investigated whether CX3CR1 upregulation in the infarct 24 hours following pMCAO was associated with ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis by assessing co-expression of cleaved Caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), CX3CR1, and NeuN (neuron marker) in the infarct. This evidence concerns the gene RBFOX3 and ischemia.