Reverse Genetics Applied to Immunobiology of Tumor Necrosis Factor, a Multifunctional Cytokine

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is one of many cytokines – protein molecules responsible for communication between the cells of immune system. TNF was discovered and given its grand name because of its striking antitumor effects in experimental systems, but its main physiological functions in the context of whole organism turned out to be completely unrelated to protection against tumors. This short review discusses “man-made” mouse models generated by early genome-editing technologies, which enabled us to establish true functions of TNF in health and certain diseases as well as to unravel potential strategies for improving therapy of TNF-dependent diseases.