Tumor necrosis factor: a plurifunctional mediator of acute inflammation.

In recent years intense research activity has been directed toward characterizing polypeptide mediators that regulate growth, differentiation, and function of cells involved in inflammation, immunity, and hematopoiesis. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or cachectin, is one of these cytokines. This review will summarize important observations that have led to our current definition of TNF. The relationship of TNF to other cytokines and basic TNF biology are discussed. Particular attention is directed toward the evidence which implicates TNF as an important mediator of acute inflammation.