title: The role of the spleen in ischemic stroke.
abstract: This opinion piece highlights the scientific literature reporting that the peripheral immune response to ischemic stroke originates from the spleen. Removal of the spleen not only reduces stroke-induced neurodegeneration but also cellular degeneration in the body's other tissues when exposed to ischemic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Pennypacker
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Anesthesiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Offner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology