Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (human) (rec.)

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine produced mainly by activated macrophages and in smaller amounts by several other types of cell. TNF-alpha has been isolated and characterized from a large number of mammals and fish species. TNF-alpha is expressed in two different forms: a soluble. Mature 17kDa form and a transmembrane 26kDa form. TNF-alpha interacts with two distinct cell-surface receptors, Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2. these mediate the cellular actions. The actions of TNF-alpha are diverse and profound involving inflammation, apoptosis, cell proliferation and the stimulation of various aspects within the immune system. TNF-alpha is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and protein catabolism in muscle and in disease states such as cancer, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and obesity-related insulin resistance.