What is tnf alpha?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF, cachexin, or cachectin, and formerly known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha orTNF-α) is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that stimulate theacute phase reaction. It is produced chiefly by activated macrophages, although it can be produced by other cell types as well.

The primary role of TNF is in the regulation of immune cells. TNF, being an endogenous pyrogen, is able to induce fever, to induce apoptotic cell death, to induce sepsis (through IL1 & IL6 production), to induce cachexia, induce inflammation, and to inhibit tumorigenesis and viral replication. Dysregulation of TNF production has been implicated in a variety of human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease,cancer,major depression, andinflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While still controversial, studies of depression and IBD are currently being linked by TNF levels.Recombinant TNF is used as an immunostimulant under the INN tasonermin. Tumor necrosis factor-α can be produced ectopically in the setting of malignancy and parallels parathyroid hormone both in causing secondary hypercalcemia and in the cancers with which excessive production is associated.