We cannot exclude the possibility that endothelial Rab7a deletion may affect VEGFR2 receptor trafficking in BECs and their responses to VEGF-A after ischemic stroke; however, the major effect of Rab7a elimination is directly through regulation of BBB adherens and tight junction protein trafficking in response to the inflammatory milieu found in ischemic stroke. This evidence concerns the gene RAB7A and ischemic stroke.