Bone marrow-45,56,57 and amniotic-derived MSC39 transplantation rescued the levels of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that were downregulated as a result of experimental stroke,39,45 represented by increased phosphorylation of downstream signaling molecules.56,57 Moreover, blocking these signaling molecules with specific inhibitors blocked the therapeutic effects of MSCs.57 Here, BDNF is linked to stroke disorder.