IL6 and Sepsis: In addition, it has been verified that cytokines (particularly tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), which are generated peripherally during sepsis, transmit signals through the impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) and activate microglia to modulate neuronal function (van Gool et al., 2010).