Interleukin 1 (IL1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) signal transduction

The inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 (IL1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have a broad range of physiological effects. Whereas their immediate post-receptor events are not well understood, both have the potential to activate a range of protein kinases. These include the three types of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK, JNK/p54 and p38) and a beta-casein kinase. The mechanisms by which these kinases are activated is discussed and the significance of their activation for particular biological responses is assessed.