tumour necrosis factor

tumour necrosis factor

also called  cachectin 

      a naturally occurring protein that is produced in the human body by the phagocytic cells known as macrophages. (The latter can engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.) TNF is produced by macrophages when they encounter the poisonous substance in bacteria that is known as endotoxin. TNF seems to perform both helpful and harmful functions within the body. It helps cause the profound weight loss (cachexia) seen in some persons suffering from chronic bacterial and parasitic infections, as well as from cancer. TNF has been further implicated in the acute circulatory collapse and shock experienced by some persons who are suffering from acute bacterial infections. The release of TNF in response to the presence of endotoxins thus appears to be responsible for most of the manifestations of septic shock in humans. The survival benefits of a bodily protein with these negative physiological effects remains unclear. But TNF has also been found to play a much broader (and more positive) role in regulating inflammatory and immune responses throughout the body. It seems to help the body defend itself against malarial parasites, and laboratory research has shown it has the ability to destroy some types of cancer cells, though clinical tests of its anticancer properties have been disappointing.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • tumour necrosis factor — TNF a or cachectin, originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG). Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro , causes necrosis of… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • tumour necrosis factor — noun a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis) • Syn: ↑tumor necrosis factor, ↑TNF • Hypernyms: ↑cytokine …   Useful english dictionary

  • tumour necrosis factor — either of two proteins, TNF a or TNF b, that function as cytokines. Among their many actions is destruction of tumour cells. The gene encoding TNF has been used in gene therapy trials for cancer …   Medical dictionary

  • tumour necrosis factor — TNF either of two proteins, TNF α or TNF β, that function as cytokines. Produced by macrophages, monocytes, T lymphocytes, and various other cells, they mediate many responses, including inflammation, and have a marked action against tumour cells …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • tumor necrosis factor — noun a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis) • Syn: ↑tumour necrosis factor, ↑TNF • Hypernyms: ↑cytokine * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha — Tumor necrosis factor (TNF, cachexin or cachectin and formally known as tumor necrosis factor alpha ) is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF causes… …   Wikipedia

  • Tumor necrosis factor receptor — TNFR/NGFR cysteine rich region Structure of the soluble human 55 kd TNF receptor human TNF beta complex[1]. Identifiers Symbol …   Wikipedia

  • Фактор Опухолевый Некротический (Tumour Necrosis Factor (Tnf)) — специфический белок, вызывающий разрушение опухолевых клеток. Ген, кодирующий некротический опухолевый фактор, используется в экспериментальных генетических исследованиях, связанных с изучением и лечением злокачественных опухолей. Источник:… …   Медицинские термины

  • See tumour necrosis factor. — См. tobacco mosaic virus …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte — a lymphoid cell that can infiltrate solid tumours. Such cells can be cultured in vitro, in the presence of interleukin 2, and have been used as vehicles for tumour necrosis factor in gene therapy trials for cancer …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”