TNF and brain ischemia: Cytokines that participate in the inflammation after cerebral ischemia include the neurotoxic cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), neuroprotective cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β [27].