TNF
Full name: Tumor necrosis factor
Aliases:1,2 DIF, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F, and TNF-α
Size:1,3 26 kDa membrane-bound form; 17 kDa soluble form
Family:4 TNF family (TNF-α, TNF-β, CD40 ligand, Fas ligand, TRAIL, and LIGHT)
Receptors:1 TNFR1 and TNFR2
Major cellular sources:1 Activated macrophages, monocytes, CD4+ T cells, B cells, neutrophils, NK, and mast cells
Major cellular targets:1 Nucleated cells
Disease states associated with:1 Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis)
Major physiologic functions:
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TNF is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in host defense, tumor lysis, apoptosis, and inflammation.1,4
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TNF has two roles in the regulation of immune responses: as a pro-inflammatory mediator, initiating a strong inflammatory response, and as an immunosuppressive mediator, inhibiting the development of autoimmune diseases and tumorigenesis and limiting the extent and duration of inflammatory processes.1
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TNF stimulates a cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, integrins, and adhesion molecules to attract leukocytes to the sites of inflammation.5,6
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TNF promotes angiogenesis and contributes to bone erosion.5,7
References:
- 1.
Akdis M, Aab A, Altunbulakli C, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;138:984-1010.
- 2.
NCBI. Gene. TNF tumor necrosis factor [Homo sapiens (human)]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7124. Accessed March 11, 2021.
- 3.
Kriegler M, Perez C, DeFay K, Albert I, Lu SD. Cell. 1988;53:45-53.
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4.
Chu W-M. Cancer Lett. 2013;28;328:222-225.
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5.
Brennan FM, McInnes IB. J Clin Invest. 2008;118:3537‐3545.
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6.
Stohl W. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2013;9:705-720.
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7.
Shu Q, Amin MA, Ruth JH, Campbell PL, Koch AE. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012;14:R88.