Endothelial activation: intracellular signaling pathways

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is the prototypic proinflammatory cytokine and endothelial cells are the principal cellular targets of its actions. Here I review the responses of endothelial cells to TNF, with emphasis on the induction of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules. I focus on the biochemistry and cell biology of signal transduction in TNF-treated endothelial cells that lead to the expression of adhesion molecules.