Unexpectedly, it seems that MIF variations after stroke might occur independently of changes of other pro-inflammatory cytokines as genetic deletion of MIF did not affect ipsilateral IL-1β up-regulation (in the infarct core and peri-infarct area) or serum and brain TNF-α elevations that also occur after stroke (Inácio et al., 2011a,b). This evidence concerns the gene MIF and stroke disorder.