Role of TNFα in pulmonary pathophysiology

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) is the most widely studied pleiotropic cytokine of the TNF superfamily. In pathophysiological conditions, generation of TNF alpha at high levels leads to the development of inflammatory responses that are hallmarks of many diseases. Of the various pulmonary diseases, TNF alpha is implicated in asthma, chronic bronchitis ( CB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD), acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS). In addition to its underlying role in the inflammatory events, there is increasing evidence for involvement of TNF alpha in the cytotoxicity. Thus, pharmacological agents that can either suppress the production of TNF alpha or block its biological actions may have potential therapeutic value against a wide variety of diseases. Despite some immunological side effects, anti-TNF alpha therapeutic strategies represent an important breakthrough in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and may have a role in pulmonary diseases characterized by inflammation and cell death.