CCR5 is upregulated in neurons in the penumbral area after stroke and blocking the CCR5 signaling by genetic means or maraviroc (100 mg k−1 g, i.p. daily) promotes the survival of those neurons and their synaptic connections, thus enhancing the behavioral recovery of animals.[28] This raises a question of how maraviroc protects the NPCs we transplanted into the ischemic core. The gene discussed is CCR5; the disease is stroke disorder.