Table 2

Preclinical studies regarding neurogenic pathway modulation after stroke

Study	Objects	Approaches	Conclusions
Prass et al56	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol	Prevented bacterial infections post-MCAO and reduced mice mortality.
Prass et al56	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	HPA blocker, RU486	Did not prevent bacterial infections after MCAO.
Mracsko et al64	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β2-adrenergic receptor blocker	Preserved IFN-γ production by lymphocytes after stroke.
Mracsko et al64	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	HPA blocker, RU486	Prevented poststroke lymphopenia.
Ajmo Jr et al65	Rat, permanent MCAO	Pan-adrenergic receptor blocker, carvedilol	Prevented the reduction in spleen size, reduced infarct volume; propranolol treatment also had no effects on spleen size and stroke outcome.
		β-blocker, propranolol	No effects on spleen size and stroke outcome.
		α1 receptor blocker, prazosin	Prevented the reduction in spleen size; no effect on infarct volume.
Römer et al46	Mouse, both WT and 2D2, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol HPA blocker, RU486	Both reduced infarct volumes, decreased infection rate and increased long-term survival of 2D2 and WT mice; increased autoreactive CNS antigen-specific T cell responses in the brain but did not worsen functional long-term outcome in the 2D2 stroke model.
Wong et al48	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol	Preserved iNKT cell function and reduced poststroke infection.
Liu et al43	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol HPA blocker, RU486	Propranolol and RU486 synergistically inhibited immunosuppression poststroke, prevented infection and improved the functional outcome of mice.

2D2 mice, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) T cell receptor transgenic mice; HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; IFN -γ , interferon-γ; iNKT, invariant NKT; MCAO, middle cerebral artery occlusion; WT, wild type.