ASCL1 and brain ischemia: To further assess Ascl1 expression in brain cells at the early stage after focal cerebral ischemia, brain endothelial cell, neuron, microglia/Mφ, and pericyte from ipsilateral cortex were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) at 2 h post permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (Fig. 4e).