Moreover, the ischemia-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines [e.g., interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)] further promotes adhesion molecules expression and, together with the activation of proteases [i.e., matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)], prompts blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown leading to leukocytes extravasation in the injured brain (Ishikawa et al., 2004; Amantea et al., 2007; Yemisci et al., 2009; Yilmaz and Granger, 2010). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is ischemia.