Considering the important role of TNF-α, LT-α, TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the pathogenesis of severe sepsis, we hypothesized that genetic variation in TNF, LTA, TNFRSF1A and TNFRSF1B might be associated with susceptibility to and outcomes from severe sepsis in Chinese Han population. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Sepsis.