Tumor Necrosis Factor - Alpha Immunoassay Blood

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is expressed primarily by activated monocytes as part of the innate immune response to various microbes, gram-negative bacteria in particular.(1) TNF-alpha is synthesized as a type II membrane protein, which can be cleaved by a membrane-associated metalloproteinase. The subunit that is released will polymerize to form a homotrimer, which is the circulating form of TNF-alpha. The primary function of TNF-alpha is to recruit other leukocytes to the site of infection and to stimulate their activation. TNF-alpha also has some systemic effects, including induction of fever through action on the hypothalamus. In cases of severe gram-negative bacterial infection, septic shock can occur. Septic shock is induced by large-scale production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha. This disorder is characterized by hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation, tachycardia, and increased respiration, and can be fatal.

Dysregulation of TNF-alpha expression is thought to be a critical pathogenic mechanism in numerous autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).(2) There are currently 5 monoclonal antibodies approved by the FDA for blockage of TNF-alpha as a clinical treatment.(3,4) The different drugs are approved for various diseases, with some available for treatment of pediatric IBD and juvenile RA.

No Preparation required