ABSTRACT
JNK/BLYS/BAFF ..............................................................................40 2.3.16 Ligand for Herpesvirus Entry Mediator .............................................40 2.3.17 Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR Family-Related Ligand .................... 41 2.3.18 TNFRSF Expressed on the Mouse Embryo ....................................... 41 2.3.19 Receptor Expressed in Lymphoid Tissues .......................................... 42
2.4 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 42 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................... 42 References ................................................................................................................ 43
Discovered 20 years ago, tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) are now known to consist of a family of 19 ligands with 15%–25% amino acid sequence homology. They bind to 29 different cell surface receptors that activate various transcription factors and protein
kinases. Although initially described as antitumor agents, this family of cytokines is now known to mediate apoptosis, proliferation, survival, differentiation, viral replication, inflammation, septic shock, and other biological responses. This review provides an overview of this novel family of cytokines.
