TNF and brain ischemia: Acute cerebral ischemia can lead to cytotoxic edema in neural and glial cells and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).