TNF is a pivotal cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of anaemia of chronic disease, by inhibiting proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and by inducing apoptosis of red cells precursors; however, a wealth of data clearly demonstrates that TNF is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte production of hepcidin [2, 28]. The gene discussed is HAMP; the disease is anemia.