TNF and atherosclerosis: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are intracellular adaptor proteins, which channel signaling for members of the TNF-/interleukin-1 (IL-1)-/toll-like-receptor (TLR)-superfamily such as TNFα, CD40L, and IL-1β, proteins known to promote inflammation and atherosclerosis [5], [6], [7].