Development of a novel TNF alpha ligand-receptor binding assay for screening NATCHEM Libraries

The TNF alpha receptor is a major therapeutic target since over production of TNF alpha plays a key role in the development of septic shock following bacterial infection and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. To screen our NATCHEM Libraries for novel natural product inhibitors of this target we have developed a sensitive immobilised TNF alpha receptor binding assay based on a commercially available recombinant soluble TNF alpha receptor (p55) and [125I]-TNF alpha.