A tumor necrosis factor binding protein is present in human biological fluids.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) possesses both beneficial and toxic bioactivities. Mechanisms may operate to counteract harmful effects. We have identified a TNF binding protein (TNF-BP), which shows increased levels in serum and urine of patients on regular hemodialysis treatment (RDT). TNF-BP inhibited the specific binding of human recombinant TNF (rTNF) to its cell surface receptor. Results from gel chromatography demonstrated the presence in serum and urine of a macromolecule with an apparent molecular weight of 50,000, which formed a complex with rTNF. A 62-fold purification of TNF-BP from urine of patients on RDT was achieved by ion exchange chromatography and gel chromatography. Partially purified TNF-BP reduced the growth inhibitory effect of rTNF on a susceptible leukemia cell line. TNF-BP may act as a regulator of the biological activity of TNF and could have beneficial effects in certain inflammatory conditions.