ABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) plays a central role in the sequence of cellular and molecular events the response ( ). TNF-a is a homotrimer consisting of three identical 17 kDa polypeptide subunits. It is expressed primarily by stimulated mononuclear phagocytes. Increased levels of TNF-a. are observed in many infectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases. In addition to its participation in the physiological response to infection and neoplasm, local TNF-o: expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
