Our previous work demonstrated that therapeutic neutralization of osteopontin expression in ischemic stroke lesions overall and particularly in peri-infarct NVU cells in the early acute phase of ischemic stroke and clinically significant therapeutic window (4 h post-tMCAO) using a BBB-crossing, anti-osteopontin antibody, improves neurological functions, decreases brain edema volume and reduces the risk for hemorrhagic transformation12. The gene discussed is SPP1; the disease is ischemic stroke.