Since we have shown that CXCL16 is neuroprotective in ischemia (11, 12), and neuroinflammation plays a role in brain damage following ischemic insult (30, 31), we considered the possibility that CXCL16, acting on CXCR6 expressed by microglia cells (11), might provide protective effects also modulating microglia phenotype. This evidence concerns the gene CXCR6 and ischemia.