> [!summary] > > **Tumor necrosis factor** (**TNF**, **cachexin**, or **cachectin**; often called **tumor necrosis factor alpha** or **TNF-α**) is an [adipokine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adipokine "Adipokine") and a [[Cytokine|cytokine]]. TNF is a member of the [TNF superfamily](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_necrosis_factor_superfamily "Tumor necrosis factor superfamily"), which consists of various [transmembrane proteins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmembrane_protein "Transmembrane protein") with a homologous TNF domain. > > As an adipokine, TNF promotes [insulin resistance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance "Insulin resistance"), and is associated with [obesity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity "Obesity")-induced [type 2 diabetes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_2_diabetes "Type 2 diabetes"). As a cytokine, TNF is used by the [immune system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system "Immune system") for [cell signaling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_signaling "Cell signaling"). If [macrophages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophage "Macrophage") (certain [white blood cells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_blood_cell "White blood cell")) detect an infection, they release TNF to alert other immune system cells as part of [an inflammatory response](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammation "Inflammation") > > Source: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_necrosis_factor> >