For instance, in ischemic stroke models, increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and decreased angiopoietin 1 support angiogenesis, neuron survival, and repair during the subchronic phase of injury.119,120 VEGF expression is further enhanced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells, and neural stem cells (NSCs), which release gaseous signaling molecules like NO and CO to promote neuroprotection and regeneration. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and ischemic stroke.