Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is a key factor in the high mortality associated with H5N1 Avian Flu.


TNF got its name from the increased levels of this compound that were first seen in cancer patients. TNF can be useful in fighting some cancers, but can encourage other types; TNF is also secreted to fight foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. TNF is one of the compounds responsible for the weight loss and wasting that is seen in people with advanced stage cancers.

TNF is elevated in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and crohns disease. Excessive TNF can also lead to damage of the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

While Type A influenza strains like H1N1 or H3N2 lead to small or modest increases in cytokines, the H5N1 strain has been shown to lead to extreme elevation of inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF. PMID: 16051807 (cache) Also important is the way that TNF is elevated by the avian flu virus; while all Type A viruses stimulate NF-KappaB (which can raise TNF), the H5N1 virus appears to be unusual by acting to strongly stimulate the MAPK pathway. The MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) system, (in this case, particularly the MAPK p38 system) has been shown to be responsible for the cytokine storm in bird flu infections, while compounds that inhibit MAPK p38 lead to marked reduction in TNF release in infected cells.

Curcumin from turmeric has been demonstrated as a powerful inhibitor of both the MAPK p38 Pathway, as well as other inflammatory cytokines.


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