TNF in the liver: targeting a central player in inflammation

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) is a multifunctional cytokine. First recognized as an endogenous soluble factor that induces necrosis of solid tumours, TNF became increasingly important as pro-inflammatory cytokine being involved in the immunopathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. In the liver, TNF induces numerous biological responses such as hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis, liver inflammation and regeneration, and autoimmunity, but also progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Considering these multiple functions of TNF in the liver, we propose anti-TNF therapies that specifically target TNF signalling at the level of its specific receptors.