The model was also used to dissect the molecular pathogenesis of inflammatory CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis, by determining the effect on myelin of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (Woodroofe & Cuzner, 1993; Cannella & Raine, 1995; Navikas & Link, 1996; Lock et al., 2002). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and multiple sclerosis.