Definition of Tumour necrosis factor
1. Noun. A proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis).
Medical Definition of Tumour necrosis factor
1.
Originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette-Guerin.
Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro, causes necrosis of certain transplanted tumours in mice and inhibits experimental metastases. Human Tumour Necrosis factor alpha is a protein of 157 amino acids and has a wide range of pro inflammatory actions. Usually considered a cytokine.
Synonym: cachectin.
Acronym: TNF
(13 Nov 1997)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Tumour Necrosis Factor
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