Tumor necrosis factor
(Redirected from Tumour necrosis factor alpha)
Tumor Necrosis Factor[edit | edit source]
Tumor necrosis factor (often abbreviated as TNF) is a cell signaling protein involved in systemic inflammation and belongs to a group of cytokines. It is primarily recognized as a biological response modifier, a substance that has the potential to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms against diseases, including cancer. The role of TNF in inducing cell death in cancer cells is a major area of research, and while its exact mechanisms are not entirely understood, its significance in the immune response is well-established.
Overview[edit | edit source]
TNF is produced primarily by activated macrophages, but it is also produced by various other cell types including lymphoid cells. This protein plays a pivotal role in regulating diverse cell activities like cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and death.
Role in Cell Death[edit | edit source]
TNF can induce a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including inflammation, cell survival, and cell death. When it comes to cancer, TNF has gained attention for its ability to cause necrosis or death of tumor cells. However, the exact mechanism by which TNF promotes cancer cell death remains a subject of intense investigation.
Mechanisms Under Investigation[edit | edit source]
- Apoptosis: Some studies suggest that TNF can initiate the apoptotic cell death pathway in certain cells, leading to the systematic death of these cells without causing inflammation.
- Necroptosis: A regulated form of necrosis, necroptosis can be induced by TNF in certain circumstances. This form of cell death is inflammatory and might have implications in various diseases, including cancer.
Clinical Implications[edit | edit source]
The therapeutic potential of TNF has led to the exploration of its use in cancer treatment. Understanding how TNF interacts with cancer cells can pave the way for innovative treatments that can either boost or inhibit its activity, depending on the therapeutic goal.
Current Research[edit | edit source]
As of now, research on TNF is multi-faceted. While its role as a biological response modifier is clear, its diverse cellular effects, ranging from promoting inflammation to causing cell death, make it a complex molecule to study. Ongoing investigations aim to elucidate the exact pathways through which TNF acts and to harness its potential for therapeutic purposes.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD