Tumor Necrosis Factor Modulation in Neurological Disorders
Summary
The cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) serves as a key regulator of immune responses within the central nervous system, exerting both protective and deleterious effects. Signalling via its two primary receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2, can drive pro-inflammatory cascades or promote tissue repair and neuronal survival respectively. Dysregulated TNF activity contributes to a spectrum of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, by perpetuating neuroinflammation, disrupting synaptic homeostasis and exacerbating protein aggregation. Therapeutic strategies aim to restore balance through selective receptor targeting, antibody-based inhibitors or small-molecule synthesis inhibitors, with a growing emphasis on achieving blood–brain barrier penetration. Advances in understanding TNF receptor biology and delivery mechanisms have spurred the development of novel biologics and chemical modulators, offering promise for disease modification and symptom amelioration across diverse neuropathologies.
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Tumor Necrosis Factor Modulation in Neurological Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in tumor necrosis factor modulation in neurological disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF): A pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by microglia and other immune cells, central to neuroimmune signalling.
TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1): A cell-surface receptor that binds soluble TNF and initiates apoptotic and inflammatory pathways.
TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2): A receptor preferentially activated by membrane-bound TNF, often associated with cell survival and neuroprotective responses.
Blood–brain barrier (BBB) transcytosis: The receptor-mediated transport of molecules across brain endothelial cells into the central nervous system.
Microglia: Resident immune cells of the CNS that mediate inflammatory and homeostatic processes in health and disease.
References
- Modulation of hippocampal protein expression by a brain penetrant biologic TNF-α inhibitor in the 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease mice. Journal of Translational Medicine (2024).
- Association Between Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Exposure and Inflammatory Central Nervous System Events. JAMA Neurology (2020).
- TNF-alpha-induced microglia activation requires miR-342: impact on NF-kB signaling and neurotoxicity. Cell Death & Disease (2020).
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