Pathogenic role of TNFα in rheumatoid arthritis

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is central to pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In patients with RA, TNFα is produced mainly by macrophages and has pleiotropic effects including upregulation of proinflammatory molecules, induction of cellular proliferation and increased vascular permeability. There is evidence of dysregulated TNFα signalling and induction of apoptosis in patients with RA. Studies blocking TNFα have beneficial effects on clinical, serological and radiological manifestations of RA, and further support the importance of TNFα in RA.Section editors:Franco Di Padova – Novartis, Basel, SwitzerlandValerie Quesniaux – Transgenose Institute, CNRS, Orleans, France