EPHA4 and ischemia: We found that sh-EphA4 application significantly decreased infarction size (P < 0.01) (F = 281.45) (Fig. 4 A1, A2, A3, A6) after ischemia as well as ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis evidenced by TUNEL staining in the peri-ischemic areas than the MCAO + Lenti Control group (P < 0.01) (F = 187.89) (Fig. 4 B1, B2, B3, B6).