(A) C57Bl/6 mice were injected with GDQ (40 ug/mouse, s.c.), CpG (40 μg/mouse, s.c.), LPS (20 μg/mouse, s.c.), or saline. Blood was collected at indicated times and serum IFNα levels were measured (N = 4–10). Two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc, *p<0.05, ***p<0.001 versus saline controls. (B) IRF7−/− and IRF7+/+ mice were injected with 40 μg GDQ or saline. Blood was collected at 2hr and serum IFNα measured (N = 3 – 8). One-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc, *p<0.05 versus saline controls. (C) IRF7+/+ (N = 8 – 9) or IRF7−/− mice (N = 7 – 9) were preconditioned with GDQ (40 ug/mouse, s.c.) or saline 72hr prior to MCAO (45 min). Infarct size was determined 24hr following MCAO. Two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc, **p<0.01 versus saline controls.