Apoptosis Signalling Activated by TNF in the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract-Review

Natalya      Benderska; Saritha      Chakilam; Manuela      Hugle; Jelena      Ivanovska; Muktheshwar      Gandesiri; Jan      Schulze-Luhrmann; Khuloud      Bajbouj; Ronald      Croner; Regine      Schneider-Stock

Abstract

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene is an immediate early gene, rapidly transcribed in a variety of cell types following exposure to a broad range of pathogens and signals of inflammation and stress. Regulation of TNF gene expression at the transcriptional level is cell type- and stimulus-specific, involving epigenetic mechanisms or miRNAs. A better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that control TNF gene regulation and TNF signalling will provide deeper understanding of the initiation and development of apoptotic and inflammatory processes triggered by TNF cytokine in the gut. The described efforts to embed TNF in clinical treatment regiments reflect its attractive effectiveness in killing tumor cells. Whether the described strategies will achieve the success of incorporating TNF in lower gastrointestinal tract therapy for inflammatory diseases and cancer remains to be determined.

Keywords: TNF signalling, apoptosis, colorectal tumor cells, radiotherapy, intestinal epithelial cells, immune cells, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), cancer, Apoptosis, cytotoxic therapy