Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

07:42
Fluorescence Assays for the Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Interaction with the Immune Receptor SLAMF1
Published on: February 28, 2025
TNF-alpha in tuberculosis: a cytokine with a split personality
Amanda Mootoo1, Elena Stylianou, Mauricio A Arias
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, UK.
Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets
|March 12, 2009
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is crucial for fighting tuberculosis but can also cause tissue damage. Understanding its complex role is key for treating inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is vital for innate immunity against pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- However, TNF-alpha contributes to the pathology of diseases such as tuberculosis, acting as a 'double-edged sword'.
- The intricate interactions of TNF-alpha and its precise functions remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of TNF-alpha in controlling mycobacterial infections.
- To emphasize TNF-alpha's influence on chemokine expression and cellular migration during granuloma formation.
- To discuss challenges associated with using TNF-alpha inhibitors in inflammatory disease therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on TNF-alpha's role in mycobacterial infections.
- Analysis of TNF-alpha's involvement in granuloma formation and chemokine signaling.
- Examination of therapeutic implications of TNF-alpha inhibition.
Main Results:
- TNF-alpha is essential for host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- TNF-alpha significantly impacts chemokine expression and cell movement, crucial for granuloma formation.
- Dysregulation of TNF-alpha can lead to severe tissue damage in tuberculosis.
Conclusions:
- TNF-alpha plays a dual role in tuberculosis, mediating defense and pathology.
- Targeting TNF-alpha for therapeutic benefit requires careful consideration of its complex functions.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate TNF-alpha's network and optimize therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, primarily targeting the lungs and spreading through airborne transmission. Infection begins when aerosolized droplet nuclei, expelled by an individual with active TB, are inhaled by another person. These microscopic particles carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. Upon reaching the alveoli, the bacilli are engulfed by alveolar macrophages. However, due to their specialized lipid-rich cell wall, these pathogens...
T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories: