During injury and pathological conditions, microglia cells become activated and depending on the nature and duration of the stimulus can produce either anti-inflammatory or proinflammatory factors that can differentially affect neurogenesis.13, 14, 15, 16 Microglia cells induced to exhibit a proinflammatory phenotype release cytokines such as TNFα, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β and decrease neurogenesis and NPC survival in vitro and in vivo. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.