Regulation of production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in monocytes stimulated by the 30-kilodalton antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

The 30-kDa secreted antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was a strong inducer of tumor necrosis factor alpha in human monocytes. Our findings suggest that tumor necrosis factor alpha production may be up-regulated at both the posttranscriptional and transcriptional levels. Regulation at the posttranscriptional level probably reflects enhanced translational efficiency.