dictionary help| TNF --> tumour necrosis factor | medical dictionary |
<cytokine>
Originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette-Guerin.
Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro, causes necrosis of certain transplanted tumours in mice and inhibits experimental metastases. Human Tumour Necrosis factor alpha is a protein of 157 amino acids and has a wide range of pro inflammatory actions. Usually considered a cytokine.
Synonyms: cachectin.
Acronym: TNF
American spelling: tumor necrosis factor
(13 Nov 1997)
tumour initiation, tumourlets, tumour lysis syndrome, tumour marker < Prev | Next > tumour necrosis factor-beta, tumourous
Bookmark with:      | word visualiser | Go and visit our forums  |
