Overview
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine primarily produced by macrophages and T-cells. It regulates immune responses, inflammation, and apoptosis. Discovered in 1975 for its ability to induce tumor necrosis, TNF-α exists in soluble (17 kDa) and transmembrane (26 kDa) forms. Its signaling pathways involve NF-κB and MAPK cascades, making it a critical target in immunology and drug development. Recombinant TNF-α is widely used in biomedical research to study inflammatory diseases, cancer mechanisms, and sepsis models. Therapeutic inhibitors like etanercept and infliximab block TNF-α to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.
Physical and Chemical Properties
TNF-α is a homotrimeric protein with each subunit containing 157 amino acids. The trimer has a molecular weight of approximately 52 kDa. It is stable in pH 4-9 buffers but degrades under extreme conditions. The isoelectric point (pI) is around 5.8, and it exhibits absorbance at 280 nm due to tyrosine residues. Lyophilized TNF-α should be reconstituted in sterile PBS or culture media. Avoid vortexing to prevent aggregation. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirms its trimeric state, essential for receptor binding. Purity is typically assessed via SDS-PAGE or HPLC.
Main Applications
In research, TNF-α is used to induce inflammation in cell cultures (e.g., endothelial cells) and study cytokine cascades. It serves as a positive control in ELISA and Western blot assays. Clinically, TNF-α levels are measured to monitor autoimmune disease progression or sepsis severity. The pharmaceutical industry develops TNF-α antagonists to treat conditions like psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Biosimilars of TNF inhibitors have significantly reduced treatment costs. Emerging applications include CAR-T cell therapy and combination oncology treatments.
Safety and Storage
TNF-α is classified as a hazardous biological agent. Use biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) practices when handling. Always wear gloves, lab coats, and eye protection. Avoid aerosol generation during reconstitution. Store lyophilized protein at -20°C or below; solutions are stable for 1-2 weeks at 4°C. For long-term storage, aliquot and freeze at -80°C. Discard if turbidity or precipitation occurs. Shipping requires dry ice for lyophilized forms and cold packs for solutions.
B2B Procurement Guide
For bulk procurement, prioritize suppliers with ISO 13485 certification for consistent quality. Request certificates of analysis (CoA) detailing endotoxin levels, sterility, and bioactivity (e.g., L929 cell cytotoxicity assay). Compare batch-to-batch variability from vendors. Consider custom formulations (e.g., carrier proteins like BSA) for specific assays. Negotiate volume discounts for orders above 10 mg. Lead times for GMP-grade TNF-α may extend to 8-12 weeks. Partner with logistics providers specializing in cold-chain biologics transport.
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