Transmembrane TNF- : structure, function and interaction with anti-TNF agents

Transmembrane TNF-alpha, a precursor of the soluble form of TNF-alpha, is expressed on activated macrophages and lymphocytes as well as other cell types. After processing by TNF-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE), the soluble form of TNF-alpha is cleaved from transmembrane TNF-alpha and mediates its biological activities through binding to Types 1 and 2 TNF receptors (TNF-R1 and -R2) of remote tissues. Accumulating evidence suggests that not only soluble TNF-alpha, but also transmembrane TNF-alpha is involved in the inflammatory response. Transmembrane TNF-alpha acts as a bipolar molecule that transmits signals both as a ligand and as a receptor in a cell-to-cell contact fashion. Transmembrane TNF-alpha on…

• MO
  Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science