Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key in ofcytokine.
This is a signaling protein made by your white blood cells.
Cytokines are released during animmune systemresponse to threats such as tumor cells, viruses, and bacteria.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
TNF triggers theinflammatory processto fight threats to your body.
However, too much TNF can result in excess inflammation.
This is what occurs inautoimmune diseases, conditions in which your body attacks healthy cells and tissues.
This article explains the role of TNF and how it impacts your immune system.
It also describes the problems sparked by high TNF levels and ways to reduce inflammation.
It is a pro-inflammatory agent that helps to regulate inflammation.
Inflammation is the response your immune system creates to an injury, infection, or disease.
When dysfunction causes excess TNF, the unused TNF can trigger inflammation that attacks healthy cells and tissue.
This results in autoimmune diseases and other acute and chronic conditions.
TNF inhibitors arebiologics(derived from biological sources) that work by neutralizing the activity of TNF.
This interferes with the ability of TNF to impact inflammation and the factors that lead to autoimmune diseases.
TNF inhibitors are administered via injection or infusion, depending on the key in of drug used.
However, this can also result in suppressing the antibodies that protect you against disease.
This can leave you susceptible to serious side effects such as a severe infection.
Quit Smoking
Smoking promotes chronic inflammation throughout your body.
Consuming a low-calorie diet can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
It is key to the inflammation process that supports healing when your body is attacked by trauma or disease.
Excess levels of TNF can be harmful.
Having too much TNF is linked to autoimmune diseases like IBD and psoriasis.
Long-term drugs called TNF inhibitors work to block the effects of TNF.
While they are useful in treating TNF problems, these drugs suppress your immune system.
This can raise your risk of infection and other side effects.
2022;11(16):2524. doi:10.3390/foods11162524
University of Rochester Medical Center.Immune system disorders.
2016;5(10):e1229724.
2020;2020:e5076858.
2020;20(4).
Lis K, Kuzawinska O, Bakowiec-Iskra E.Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors state of knowledge.Arch Med Sci.
