Introduction of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) superfamily

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, composed of 19 ligands and 29 receptors, plays highly diversified roles in the body. All members of the TNF superfamily, without exception, exhibit pro-inflammatory activity, in part through activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. Several members of the TNF superfamily exhibit proliferative activity on hematopoietic cells, in part through activation of various mitogen-activated kinases, and some members of this family play a role in apoptosis. Some members of the TNF superfamily have also been reported to play a role in morphogenetic changes and differentiation. Most members of the TNF superfamily have both beneficial and potentially harmful effects.