Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF?)

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha is a cytokine that binds to TNFRSF1A/TNFR1 and TNFRSF1B/TNFBR. It is mainly secreted by macrophages and can induce cell death of certain tumor cell lines. It is potent pyrogen causing fever by direct action or by stimulation of interleukin-1 secretion and is implicated in the induction of cachexia. Under certain conditions it can stimulate cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation.Genetic variations in TNF both influence susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and are involved in susceptibility to malaria. Additionally, genetic variations in TNF are a cause of susceptibility psoriatic arthritis (PSORAS). PSORAS is an inflammatory, seronegative arthritis associated with psoriasis. It is a heterogeneous disorder ranging from a mild, non-destructive disease to a severe, progressive, erosive arthropathy. Five types of psoriatic arthritis have been defined: asymmetrical oligoarthritis characterized by primary involvement of the small joints of the fingers or toes; asymmetrical arthritis which involves the joints of the extremities; symmetrical polyarthritis characterized by a rheumatoidlike pattern that can involve hands, wrists, ankles, and feet; arthritis mutilans, which is a rare but deforming and destructive condition; and arthritis of the sacroiliac joints and spine (psoriatic spondylitis).