Consistently, ELISA assays revealed that the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6) in the brain tissues were elevated after SLE-serum treatment (Fig. 3a–c), while the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) remained unchanged (Fig. 3d, e). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and systemic lupus erythematosus.