TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6

TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 are major pro-inflammatory cytokines that coordinate local and systemic responses to infection, injury, and immune activation. Each binds a specific receptor, activating downstream signaling pathways (such as NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT), influencing processes ranging from immune cell recruitment and fever induction to modulation of apoptosis and tissue remodeling. Dysregulation or overproduction of any of these cytokines is a hallmark of numerous chronic and acute diseases including autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular injury, cancer, neurodegeneration, and age-related pathologies. Targeting these cytokines has yielded several highly successful biologic therapies for rheumatologic and inflammatory conditions, but therapeutic inhibition must balance efficacy against safety concerns such as infection and malignancy risk

Other names

TNF-alphaCachectinTumor necrosis factorInterleukin-1 betaLeukocyte endogenous mediatorInterleukin-6B cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2)

Neutralization of cytokine by monoclonal antibodies (e.g., infliximab for TNFα, tocilizumab for IL-6) Blockade of receptor-ligand interaction (e.g., IL-1 receptor antagonist, such as anakinra)