TNF
Tumor Necrosis Factor
Gene Number: 7124
Location: 6p21.33
Key Functions: Inflammatory signaling, immune defense, cell survival, programmed cell death
The TNF gene produces tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), an immune signaling protein that helps coordinate inflammation and the response to infection. TNF supports immune defense, but excessive or persistent signaling can contribute to tissue damage and inflammatory disease [R, R].
This report examines rs1800629 (−308 G>A) and rs361525 (−238 G>A). Both lie in the gene’s promoter, a regulatory region that helps control how much TNF is produced. Researchers have studied these variants for differences in TNF production and inflammatory responses.
Explore your genotypes below, or visit IL10 and the control of inflammation and IL23R and inflammatory disease susceptibility to understand other parts of immune regulation.
SNP ID | Your Genotype | Alt Allele | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
rs1800629 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | A | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs361525 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | A | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs1800629 — TNF-α Production
GG – Normal; Does not carry the −308 A variant linked to increased TNF production.
AG – Linked to higher TNF production following immune stimulation in some studies.
AA – Linked to increased TNF promoter activity. A consistently greater effect than AG has not been established.
Functional effect: The A allele, sometimes called TNF2, changes a regulatory region rather than the TNF protein itself. Laboratory studies found increased promoter activity, while research using stimulated human blood cells found higher TNF production among A-allele carriers [R, R].
rs361525 — Regulation of Inflammatory Responses
GG – Does not carry the −238 A regulatory variant.
AG – May alter TNF production. Increased production has been reported in some settings, but the direction differs between studies.
AA – May alter TNF production. It cannot reliably be ranked as a higher-production genotype than AG or GG.
Functional effect: This variant can change how regulatory proteins interact with the TNF promoter. One study found 2.2–2.8 times greater promoter activation for the A version in stimulated mouse macrophage cells. Another found reduced activity in different experimental systems. The numerical result describes that laboratory experiment, rather than a corresponding increase in a person’s inflammation or disease risk [R, R].
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