Molecule3 diseases
TNF-α
Pro-inflammatory cytokine contributing to systemic inflammation
- Expression change
- Elevated
- Evidence level
- strong
- Targeted by
- Infliximab, Etanercept
Expression across diseases
| Disease | Role | Expression | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult-Onset Still's Disease | Pro-inflammatory cytokine contributing to systemic inflammation | Elevated | strong |
| Schnitzler Syndrome | Pro-inflammatory cytokine | Elevated | moderate |
| TNF Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome | Ligand for TNFR1 — upstream trigger | Elevated during attacks | established |
Role in pathogenesis
TNF-α is elevated in sera and tissues of AOSD patients regardless of disease activity. It contributes to systemic inflammation, ferritin production, and joint damage. However, TNF-α blockade (infliximab, etanercept) has shown inconsistent results in AOSD, suggesting it is not the primary driver but rather a downstream effector.