VEGFA and Cerebral ischemia: For example, exogenous treatment with VEGF in animals and in cultured brain microvessel endothelial cells caused increased BBB permeability [35,36], while treatment with an anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody reduced BBB leakage (Evans blue staining) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion [37] and focal TBI by fluid percussion injury (FPI) [12] animal models.