Table 2

Preclinical studies regarding neurogenic pathway modulation after stroke

Study	Objects	Approaches	Conclusions
Prass et al 56	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol	Prevented bacterial infections post-MCAO and reduced mice mortality.
Prass et al 56	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	HPA blocker, RU486	Did not prevent bacterial infections after MCAO.
Mracsko et al 64	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β2-adrenergic receptor blocker	Preserved IFN-γ production by lymphocytes after stroke.
Mracsko et al 64	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	HPA blocker, RU486	Prevented poststroke lymphopenia.
Ajmo Jr et al 65	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 al 46	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 al 48	Mouse, 60 min MCAO	β-blocker, propranolol	Preserved iNKT cell function and reduced poststroke infection.
Liu et al 43	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.