Evidence on this were reported in a study in which ASC secretome was found to protect a PC12 cell line from excitotoxicity, through the secretion of BDNF, VEGF, and HGF.111 Secreted IGF-1 and BDNF were also indicated as mediators of protection and recovery in a rat model of brain ischemia.112. Here, BDNF is linked to brain ischemia.