Humana Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols: 98 (Methods in Molecular Medicine, 98)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in a va- ety of physiological and pathological processes. After initial discovery of its ability to induce cell death and animal cachexia, it was soon realized that this cytokine played pivotal roles in the regulation of homeostasis and inflam- tory-immune responses. This led to an explosion of interest in basic and tra- lational research activities on the role of TNF in many diseases, such as cancer, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases of the central n- vous system. Because of its potential therapeutic value, many academic and industrial research groups have worked to discover compounds that can block its activity. These studies have led to the approval of anti-TNF antibodies and soluble TNF receptors for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's d- ease. TNF also can be an attractive anticancer agent capable of damaging tum- associated vessels and of inducing tumor necrosis in patients. The unique properties of TNF have led to its registration as a drug for locoregional tre- ment of sarcomas of the extremities, and stimulated many preclinical studies aimed at improving its therapeutic index for systemic use. Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols provides an overview of basic and translational research along with a series of practical procedures on TNF production, characterization, mutagenesis, detection in biological spe- mens, as well as several in vitro assays and animal models for studying the role of TNF in various diseases. Review "...offers molecular and cellular biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists a diverse set of productive, cutting-edge tools for illuminating pathophysiological roles of TNF in disease and for identifying new drugs." - Tumori From the Back Cover Because tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of homeostasis and inflammatory immune responses, it offers valuable research opportunities to develop new drugs for the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including cancer, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. In Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols, well-versed experimentalists survey the basic and translational research being conducted in this field and describe in detail the methods they have developed for TNF production, characterization, mutagenesis, and detection in biological specimens. They also provide several in vitro assays and animal models for studying the role of TNF in various TNF-related diseases and in cancer. The protocols presented follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine™ series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and highly practical, Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols offers molecular and cellular biologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists a diverse set of productive, cutting-edge tools for illuminating the pathophysiological roles of TNF in disease and for identifying new drugs.