TNF and Stroke: Stroke-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines leads to brain cell damage and apoptosis (Choe et al., 2011; Vogelgesang et al., 2014), specifically tied to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α (Campbell et al., 1993; Rothwell and Relton, 1993; Meistrell et al., 1997; Lavine et al., 1998).