CNTF and Stroke: Notably, several factors we observe to be regulated by mechanical stimulation were also shown to be regulated by STM in healthy humans, in a rat model of low back pain, as well as in a mouse model of stroke – including CNTF, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-13, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α [22, 33, 34].