Description
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotrophic pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by various cells including adipocytes, activated monocytes, macrophages, B cells, T cells and fibroblasts. It belongs to the TNF superfamily of ligands and signals through two receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. TNF-alpha is cytotoxic to a wide variety of tumor cells and is an essential factor in mediating the immune response against bacterial infections. TNF-alpha also plays a role in the induction of septic shock, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation and diabetes.
Recombinant rat TNF-alpha is a soluble 17.3kD protein which corresponds to C-terminal extracellular domain of the full length transmembrane protein containing 157 amino acid residues