APAF1 and Stroke: For example, miRNA 23a, miR-23b, miR-24, and miR-27a are known to target APAF1 and pro-apoptotic BCL family proteins and thereby prevent neuronal apoptosis, and downregulation of these miRNAs during acute EAE, TBI, spinal cord injury, and stroke is thought to contribute to neuron and neurite loss [86–98].