Synonyms: |
DIF, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, RATTNF, Tnfa, tnf, TNF-a, TNFalpha, Tnfsf1a, TNFa, cTNF, Tnf-alpha, tnfa-like, TNF-ALPHA, dif, tnfa, xtnf, tnfsf2, tnf-alpha, Cachectin, tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor b (TNF superfamily, member 2), tumor necrosis factor alpha, tumor necrosis factor a (TNF superfamily, member 2), TNF, Tnf, tnf, tnfb, tnf-alpha, LOC103694380, tnfa. |
Background: |
TNF-alpha, a cytokine generated by various immune cells including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, CD4+ T cells, and certain transformed cells, exists in two forms: a 17 kDa free molecule or a 26 kDa membrane protein. It readily assembles into stable trimers and other multimeric structures. Within the immune system, TNF-alpha plays a crucial regulatory role, exhibiting cytolytic and cytostatic effects against diverse tumor cells, promoting fibroblast proliferation, and aiding in neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis. |