TNF and hepatitis C virus infection: Therefore, we propose that although NKT cells may initiate a Th1 immune response in induction of NASH by the TNF produced by CD11b+ recruited Kupffer cells/Mφs in HFD mice, major effectors in this study could be recruited CD11b+ Kupffer cells, and NKT cells may gradually decrease as a result of hepatocyte damage, as in the livers of hepatitis C patients.