TNF and Stroke: As shown in Figure 1, in acute phase, the increase of IL-1 in the brain after stroke mediates the harmful the inflammatory process, including up-regulation of IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9 and chemokines in astrocytes; inhibition of neurogenesis (9); increase of adhesion molecules and neutrophil infiltration, decrease of BBB integrity and blood flow by acting on endothelial cells, leading to worse outcomes.