TNF-α is thought of primarily as an inflammatory mediator, although recent studies have indicated that it is a part of the pathophysiology of a number of disease conditions, including osteoporosis.(27) However, in this study TNF-α was not detectable in plasma in any group, suggesting that it is unlikely that TNF-α signaling is contributing to skeletal metabolism in this model. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is osteoporosis.