FURIN and ischemic stroke: Consistently,the hepcidin level is significantly elevated, in association withIL-6 upregulation and iron accumulation, in the ischemic brain followingMCAO in rats (Figure 6).136 The elevated serum hepcidin levels,in association with serum iron profiles and IL-6 levels, are alsodetected in childhood-onset ischemic stroke, which emphasizes thepathogenic contribution of furin and hepcidin in mediating iron overloadand inflammation in ischemic stroke.137