TNF and herpes simplex encephalitis: During CNS insult such as herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) viral, reactive astrocytes actively participate in the inflammatory response and secrete various cytokines and chemokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-β, IL-8, and CXCL10, which significantly affect both initiation and/or progression of the inflammation in CNS (Park et al., 2006).