Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, pronounced as /ˈtjuːmər nɪˈkroʊsɪs ˈfæktər ˈælfə/), is a cell signaling protein (cytokine) involved in systemic inflammation and is one of the cytokines that make up the acute phase reaction.
Etymology
The term "Tumor necrosis factor-alpha" is derived from its initial discovery as a factor that causes tumor cell necrosis. The term "alpha" is used to distinguish it from its sibling molecule, Tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta).
Function
TNF-alpha is produced chiefly by activated macrophages, although it can be produced by many other cell types such as CD4+ lymphocytes, NK cells, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and neurons. The primary role of TNF-alpha is in the regulation of immune cells. TNF-alpha is also able to induce fever, apoptotic cell death, sepsis (through the induction of the acute phase response), and to inhibit tumorigenesis and viral replication.
Related Terms
- Cytokine: A type of protein that is secreted by immune cells and acts to regulate and mediate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.
- Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells in a process called phagocytosis.
- Apoptosis: A form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
- Wikipedia's article - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
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