Generic placeholder image

Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued)

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5281
ISSN (Online): 2212-4055

TNF-α in Tuberculosis: A Cytokine with a Split Personality

Author(s): Amanda Mootoo, Elena Stylianou, Mauricio A. Arias and Rajko Reljic

Volume 8, Issue 1, 2009

Page: [53 - 62] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/187152809787582543

Price: $65

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


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy