TNF and rheumatoid arthritis: Following co-culturing with RA platelets, the highest production levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected in Mon2 monocytes (12 ± 1.16% and 12.63 ± 1.68%, respectively; P <0.01), whereas their expression levels were significantly lower in the no cellular contact (4.77 ± 0.43% and 4.97 ± 0.61%, respectively; P <0.01), anti-CD147-blocking antibody (8.07 ± 0.72% and 8.00 ± 0.36%, respectively; P <0.05), IKK inhibitor (6.03 ± 0.61% and 6.33 ± 0.75%, respectively; P <0.05) and control groups (2.83 ± 0.6% and 4.07 ± 0.58%, respectively; P <0.01) (Figure 6A, B).