AIFM1 and ischemia: By contrast, the pro-apoptotic proteins trigger ischemia-induced neuronal death by inducing the release of apoptogenic factors (such as cyt c, Smac/DIABLO, and AIF) from the mitochondria into the cytosol and subsequently activating the caspase-dependent and -independent apoptotic cascades following cerebral I/R injury (14, 37).