Abstract
TNF-α is an essential component of the innate defence mechanism of the host against pathogenic challenge. Unfortunately, it can also play a major role in the pathology of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis. This disease is a striking example of the role of TNF-α as a ‘double-edged sword’, because apart from its role in controlling the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, it can also cause severe tissue damage. TNF-α exhibits a very complex network of interactions and many of its activities are still not fully understood. This report aims to review the pivotal role of TNF-α in controlling the mycobacterial infection, with a particular emphasis on its influence on chemokine expression and cell movement during granuloma formation, and the issues surrounding the use of TNF-α inhibitors for therapeutic use in inflammatory diseases.
Keywords: TNF-α, tuberculosis, Mycobacterium, granuloma, macrophage
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued)
Title: TNF-α in Tuberculosis: A Cytokine with a Split Personality
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
Author(s): Amanda Mootoo, Elena Stylianou, Mauricio A. Arias and Rajko Reljic
Affiliation:
Keywords: TNF-α, tuberculosis, Mycobacterium, granuloma, macrophage
Abstract: TNF-α is an essential component of the innate defence mechanism of the host against pathogenic challenge. Unfortunately, it can also play a major role in the pathology of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis. This disease is a striking example of the role of TNF-α as a ‘double-edged sword’, because apart from its role in controlling the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, it can also cause severe tissue damage. TNF-α exhibits a very complex network of interactions and many of its activities are still not fully understood. This report aims to review the pivotal role of TNF-α in controlling the mycobacterial infection, with a particular emphasis on its influence on chemokine expression and cell movement during granuloma formation, and the issues surrounding the use of TNF-α inhibitors for therapeutic use in inflammatory diseases.
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Cite this article as:
Mootoo Amanda, Stylianou Elena, Arias A. Mauricio and Reljic Rajko, TNF-α in Tuberculosis: A Cytokine with a Split Personality, Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) 2009; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152809787582543
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152809787582543 |
Print ISSN 1871-5281 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-4055 |
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